What problems does over watering cause?

• A. It depletes the water supply.
• B. It prevents pests.
• C. It reduces runoff pollution.
• D. It increases drought tolerance.

Answer: (A)

Overwatering wastes more water than the plants can use, so it drips away, runs off, or drains beyond the root zone. That means the water supply you’re using for the landscape isn’t efficiently contributing to plant health and is effectively being drained from the system, which can contribute to water shortages or higher irrigation demands. In addition, the excess water creates poor air conditions in the root zone, promoting root decay and nutrient leaching, which are practical problems gardeners and managers worry about.

The other options don’t fit the reality of overwatering: it doesn’t prevent pests; instead it can foster diseases and pests by keeping the foliage and soil constantly moist. It usually increases runoff and can carry nutrients into waterways, rather than reducing runoff pollution. And it certainly doesn’t increase drought tolerance; plants do better with balanced moisture and occasional drying periods that help them develop resilience.