What happens to water quality when land is developed for urban use?

When land is developed for urban use, the natural landscape is altered significantly, leading to various changes in water quality. As urban areas expand, impervious surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and buildings increase, which can cause water to run off more quickly rather than soaking into the ground. This increased runoff can carry pollutants such as oils, heavy metals, fertilizers, and sediments from urban environments into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes.

Additionally, the introduction of construction and landscaping activities can contribute to sedimentation and further chemical pollutants in the water systems. As a result, these urbanization processes typically lead to a deterioration in water quality due to the higher concentrations of contaminants entering water bodies. Thus, the correct answer highlights the critical issue of how urban development adversely impacts water quality through increased pollutants and runoff.