Point and NonPoint Pollution
Nonpoint source pollution generally results from land runoff, precipitation, drainage, or seepage. The term nonpoint source is defined to mean any source of water pollution that does not come from a specific place. 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 laws and rules such as the Clean Water Act. 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.
NoOil, grease and toxic chemicals from urban runoff
NoOil, grease and toxic chemicals from urban runoff
- Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands
- Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines
- Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes and faulty septic systems
Point source pollution is pollution that comes from a single source, such as a factory or wastewater 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.