What does "Surface Water" include?

"Surface Water" encompasses all bodies of water found above ground, which includes rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and reservoirs. This definition captures the entirety of water that exists openly in the environment as opposed to any subterranean sources or phases of water. By understanding surface water in this broad context, one can appreciate its role in the ecosystem, its relationship to groundwater, and its significance in water management practices, particularly in the context of septic systems and wastewater management.

Other options lack the comprehensive scope of the correct answer. For instance, limiting surface water to only lakes and rivers ignores other vital forms of surface water. Similarly, evaporated water that has returned to the clouds refers to water in a gaseous state, while groundwater refers to the water that exists below the Earth's surface, both of which do not qualify as surface water.