We all impact the health of our streams, rivers, and lakes; therefore, we must all recognize our role in restoring our most valuable resource.

Point-Source Pollution: As its name implies, point-source pollution can be easily identified (i.e., a pipe from industrial plant or waste-water treatment plant). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), defines point source pollution as “any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe…” According to the Clean Water Act, factories, sewage treatment plants, and other point sources must obtain a permit from the state and EPA to discharge their waste into any body of water. As a result, the EPA has enforced regulations that help reduce the impact of point-source pollution.

Nonpoint sources of pollution occur when rain or snowmelt moves across the land, picking up pollutants like nutrients and sediment, and then enter a body of water. Because it comes from multiple locations, nonpoint source pollution is difficult to control. However, there are efforts to better understand ways to minimize the impacts and improve water quality.

Some examples of nonpoint sources of pollution include:

• Forestry: The over-harvesting of trees can reduce the soil structure of a wooded area and increase the likelihood of soil erosion. Soil erosion leads to increased levels of sediment runoff.
• Urban: Pollutants generated from cars (i.e., oil and gasoline leaks), road salts, litter, and pet waste are some examples of urban non-point sources of pollution.
• Suburban: Lawn care products, including fertilizers and pesticides, are common sources of suburban non-point sources of pollution.
• Agriculture (Cropland and Animal Feedlots): Fertilizers, pesticides, animal manure, and soil erosion are all examples of agriculture non-point sources of pollution.