Water Pollution Overview

Photo Credit:  Natural Resource Conservation Service

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There are two water pollution sources that compromise the safety and purity of our water:  Point Source and Non-Point Source Pollution

• Point Source is pollution that has a known generator, like salvage yards, industrial facilities and waste water treatment facilities.  This type of pollution was first addressed in the early 70s and, for the most part, point source generators have "cleaned up their act."

• Non-Point Source is a pollution that does not have a "generator" that is easily identified - it is the input of everyone, everywhere, and comes from most anywhere, like roads, parking lots, farmers, city dwellers, golf courses, constructions sites and municipal operations.  Non-point source pollution is the major cause of water quality pollution in the nation today.

There are two sources of runoff from non-point pollution that we need to be aware of, storm water and "non-storm" water:

• Storm Water runoff is generated when rainwater falls to the ground and is not absorbed or infiltrated into the surrounding landscape.  As it travels over surfaces that do not absorb it (impervious areas, such as sidewalks, driveways, roads and even lawns) it collects pollutants, all of which end up in our surface waters.

• Non Storm Water runoff is generated from sources not related to rainfall, such as watering a lawn during the summer, washing a car or even a fleet of trucks, or even testing fire hydrants.

In urban runoff there are five specific pollutant categories that we need to be concerned with and begin to address:

• Sediment, which clouds water and makes it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow.  It also destroys aquatic habitat.

• Excess nutrients, which causes algae blooms.  When algae die, they rob fish and other aquatic life of oxygen to decompose.

• Bacteria and other pathogens, which wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary.

• Garbage & Debris, such as plastic bags, bottles and cigarette butts - washed into water bodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.

• Household hazardous waste, like pesticides, paint, used motor oil and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life.  Land animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish or drinking polluted water.