Final answer:
Abandoned water wells can lead to groundwater contamination, causing public health risks from pathogens and various pollutants. They can also result in insect infestation but do not improve water quality or property value.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abandoned water wells pose various health, safety, and environmental risks. One of the main concerns is the potential for groundwater contamination, as these unused wells can become pathways for surface contaminants to enter the groundwater supply. This contamination can occur through various means, including pathogens from septic systems or agricultural runoff, chemicals from industrial sites, and natural processes.
Such contamination not only affects the quality of drinking water but can also lead to the spread of waterborne diseases. For instance, waterborne diseases can be spread via a groundwater well that has been contaminated with fecal pathogens from pit latrines, posing a direct threat to public health. Moreover, groundwater pollution is a significant issue globally; studies have shown that a substantial portion of domestic wells have contaminant levels exceeding health benchmarks. Notable pollutants include nitrates, organic pollution, and heavy metals, some of which can be attributed to activities like hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
Furthermore, abandoned wells can lead to other environmental concerns such as insect infestation, a phenomenon not directly linked to improving water quality or property value. Unlike the incorrect options listed, abandoned wells do not enhance property value or improve water pressure; in fact, they can lead to a decline in both due to the associated risks and the potential need for expensive remediation or deeper well drilling.