Water that collects contaminants as it trickles through wastes, pesticides, or fertilizers. Leaching can occur in farming areas, feedlots, and landfills, and can result in hazardous substances entering surface water, groundwater, or soil. surface water: All water naturally open to the atmosphere (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, impoundments, seas, estuaries, etc). and all springs, wells, or other collectors directly influenced by surface water