Rainwater, snow melts and other atmospheric moisture runs off the land surface and into water bodies. Contaminated water may also seep into the ground and end up in the water table.

1. The acidity of surface water, ponds, lakes, rivers, and so on increases, and plants and animals that depend on clean water are affected in negative ways. For example, fish reproductive cycles can be adversely affected and this can potentially disrupt entire ecosystems. Fish populations may be negatively affected too.
2. Forest and vegetative ecosystems can be adversely affected by sulfur and nitrogen deposition, especially the high-elevation, spruce-fir forests in the Eastern United States.
3. Acid rain can leach, aluminum copper, and other heavy metals out of the soil and into runoff and drinking water sources. The contaminated soils and water may be hazardous to the living organisms that depend on them.
4. Humans are ultimately affected too. Contaminated rainwater may enter human lungs and cause lung disease, heart attacks, and difficulties for people with asthma. In addition to this, broken ecosystems and food chains can eventually catch up with humans.