When land is developed, there is a related increase in impervious surfaces, particularly pavement and roofs. As the area of impervious surface increases, the landscape’s capacity to absorb and filter nutrients is reduced, resulting in higher levels of phosphorus and other nutrients running overland into water bodies and accelerating the process of eutrophication.

Low Impact Development techniques, such as limiting the amount of impervious surface on a site and incorporating adequate amounts of vegetation, can mitigate effects on water quality.