What is Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution?
Questions and Answers

(taken from EPA's Polluted brochure EPA-841-F-94-005, 1994)

Q: What is nonpoint source pollution?

A: Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water. These pollutants 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 septicsystems;

Atmospheric deposition and hydromodification are also sources of nonpoint source pollution.

Q: What are the effects of these pollutants on our waters?

A: 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.

Q: What causes nonpoint source pollution?

A: We all play a part. Nonpoint source pollution results from a wide variety of human activities on the land. Each of us can contribute to the problem without even realizing it.

Q: What can we do about nonpoint source pollution?

A: We can all work together to reduce and prevent nonpoint source pollution. Some activities are federal responsibilities, such as ensuring that federal lands are properly managed to reduce soil erosion. Some are state responsibilities, for example, developing legislation to govern mining and logging, and to protect groundwater. Others are best handled locally, such as by zoning or erosion control ordinances. And each individual can play an important role by practicing conservation and by changing certain everyday habits.

What you can do to prevent NPS pollution

Urban Stormwater Runoff

• Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains--these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, rivers, and wetlands.
  
  
• Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions.
  
  
• Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household chemicals properly, not in storm sewers or drains. If your community does not already have a program for collecting household hazardous wastes, ask your local government to establish one.
  
  
• Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes.
  
  
• Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.
  
  
• Encourage local government officials to develop construction erosion/sediment control ordinances in your community.
  
  
• Have your septic system inspected and pumped, at a minimum, every 3-5 years so that it operates properly.
  
  
• Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our lakes, streams and coastal waters.
  
  
  

Mining

• Become involved in local mining issues by voicing your concerns about acid mine drainage and reclamation projects in your area.
  
  

Forestry

• Use proper logging and erosion control practices on your forest lands by ensuring proper construction, maintenance, and closure of logging roads and skid trails.
  
  
• Report questionable logging practices to state and federal forestry and state water quality agencies.
  
  

Agriculture

• Manage animal waste to minimize contamination of surface water and ground water.
  
  
• Protect drinking water by using less pesticides and fertilizers.
  
  
• Reduce soil erosion by using conservation practices and other applicable best management practices.
  
  
• Use planned grazing systems on pasture and rangeland.
  
  
• Dispose of pesticides, containers, and tank rinsate in an approved manner.

From the US Environmental Protection Agency