"Toxic runoff" refers to harmful chemicals or pollutants that get washed off from the land into nearby bodies of water, such as rivers or lakes. It can make the water unsafe for plants, animals, and even humans. Full definition
Selling through farmers markets can mean that wealthy, white consumers get access to heirloom tomatoes and pastured eggs, while their poor black neighbors are forced to take 3 buses across town or perhaps just resort to «community gardens» on sites saturated with toxic runoff. (ethicurean.com)
Second, it reduces potentially toxic runoff into city sewers, which reduces the volume of water and overall wear on city infrastructure and also reduces the environmental impact of municipal waste water. (remonline.com)
And Citigroup Inc. announced in October that it would draw down loans for companies that engage in mountaintop - removal mining — a process in which workers detonate rocks and soil to access coal trapped below, often leaving toxic runoff in bodies of water nearby. (scientificamerican.com)