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Point and Non-Point Source Pollution

Misleading Information about Pollution

Solutions for Non-Point Source Pollution

Most people believe that water pollution is caused by pipes dumping toxic industrial waste into a river. But this type of pollution, called point source pollution, has largely been controlled by legislation such as the Clean Water Act, which was passed by Congress in 1970. In reality, a large amount of water pollution does not come from a single point. This type of pollution is called non-point source pollution.

Unfortunately, nonpoint source pollution is a more complicated problem. By definition, it doesn't come from one single source, but from a variety of sources. Typically these sources are across a large area compared to point source pollution. In addition, because it comes from more than one source and can be more than one type of pollution, identifying the multiple sources and cleaning them up can be difficult. But there are simple ways to lower non-point source pollution, they include:

  • Recycle (motor oil too!)
  • Carpool, bus, bike, walk
  • Pick up pet waste
  • Install low-flow devices in toilets, showers and faucets
  • Maintain your car
  • Avoid toxic products
  • Reduce fertilizer and pesticide use
  • Get involved in a water cleanup planning effort in your watershed.

Non-Point Source Pollution Problems

What is Point Source Pollution?

Be the solution to Point and Non-point Source Pollution!

Point source pollution is pollution that comes from a single source, such as a factory or waste-water treatment plant. The Clean Water Act put restrictions on how much and what kind of pollutants industries can dispose of in rivers and lakes. While this has not eliminated industrial or domestic waste from entering our waters completely, it has reduced what once was our biggest source of water pollution.

Nonpoint source pollution can include:

  • Excess fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides from agricultural lands and residential areas
  • Oil, grease and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production
  • Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding streambanks
  • Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines
  • Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes and faulty septic systems
  • Atmospheric deposition and hydro-modification

States report that nonpoint source pollution is the leading remaining cause of water quality problems. The effects of nonpoint source pollutants on specific waters vary and may not always be fully assessed. However, we know that these pollutants have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries and wildlife.

What is Non-Point Source Pollution?

Point Source Pollution Problems

Nonpoint source pollution generally results from land runoff, precipitation, atmospheric deposition, drainage, seepage or hydrologic modification. The term "non-point source" is defined to mean any source of water pollution that does not meet the legal definition of "point source" in section 502(14) of the Clean Water Act.

Many people incorrectly believe waste that is dumped into the storm sewer is treated at a waste water treatment plant. In fact, most major cities have separate storm and sanitary sewer systems. Sanitary sewers collect waste-water from homes and businesses and treat it before discharging it into the river. Storm sewers, on the other hand, are a direct connection to the city's waterways. Anything dumped into a storm grate or gutter discharges - untreated - to a stream or lake at an outfall. Each outfall is considered to be a point source.

Solutions for Point Source Pollution

Waste-water Management Divisions are responsible for administering cities municipal storm-water discharge permit, which sets goals for the reduction of pollutants discharging from storm-water outfalls. The Waste-water Management Division has instituted a series of programs to help acheive this goal. These programs include reducing polluted runoff from municipal facilities and city streets by placing screens over stormwater outfalls, reducing pesticide and fertilizer use by city agencies and the public, and reducing polluted runoff from municipal and private construction sites.

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