Pollution

There are two main types of pollution, point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution. Point source pollution comes from one source (you can easily point to it) like a factory or waste water treatment plant. Nonpoint source pollution comes from many diffuse sources.

There is a common misconception that most of the pollution in our water comes from industrial pipes dumping toxic wastes into water, but this point source pollution has largely been controlled by the Clean Water Act and other legislation. A large amount of pollution found in our waterways actually comes from nonpoint source pollution.

Point Source Pollution

Definition

• Industrial plants/factories (e.g., oil refineries, pulp and paper mills, chemical manufacturers, automobile manufacturers, food processors, pharmaceutical manufacturers)

  Pollutants: oil, thermal pollution, toxic chemicals, heavy metals

• Sewage Treatment Plants

  Pollutants: bacteria, nutrients

Effects

Excess nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) from sewage treatment plants can overstimulate growth of aquatic plants like algae. Although plants give off oxygen when they are alive, during decomposition dissolved oxygen is consumed. This can harm aquatic life like fish and insects that need dissolved oxygen to survive.

Pollution from industries occurs when water is used in production processes and then is discharged into waterways without proper treatment. Pollution from industrial entities are industry specific. For example, some power plants use water to cool overheating equipment. If this water is not cooled before being released back into natural waterways it can alter the temperature of that waterway. Certain fish and other aquatic animals can only survive in cool temperatures so the warmer water that is released can alter ecosystems.

Control Mechanisms

Allocations to point source pollution are implemented through permits that are consistent with Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reports. A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards. It also includes an allocation of that amount to the pollutant's sources. The permits are issued by the EPA or states and tribes.

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Definition

An example of nonpoint source pollution would be rainfall or snowmelt picking up natural or anthropogenic pollutants and depositing them into water resources. In towns and cities where much of the land is covered by impervious surfaces (such as parking lots, sidewalks, rooftops, and driveways) water will flow into storm drains that carry the water directly to your local streams or lakes. This is referred to as urban stormwater.

• Urban runnoff

  Pollutants: oil, grease, toxic chemicals, nutrients

• Poorly managed construction sites

  Pollutants: sediment

• Irrigation practices

  Pollutants: salt

• Abandoned mines

  Pollutants: acid drainage

• Livestock operations, pet wastes, faulty septic systems

  Pollutants: bacteria and nutrients

Effects

Nonpoint source pollution is the leading cause of water quality problems according to many states. Excess nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) from agricultural land uses like fertilizing, concentrated animal feeding operations, and pesticide spraying may run off into streams and rivers. This increase in nutrients may overstimulate growth of aquatic plants like algae. Although plants give off oxygen when they are alive, during decomposition dissolved oxygen is consumed. This can harm aquatic life like fish and insects that need dissolved oxygen to survive.

Construction or logging efforts can cause a significant increase of sediment in nearby waterways. The removal of vegetation exposes soil and without vegetation to take-up water there is a greater erosion potential. Suspended solids (turbidity) from erosion prevents sunlight from reaching aquatic plants. Without light photosynthesis cannot take place, which may reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Dissolved oxygen is vital for fish and other aquatic life. Sediment absorbs heat, so if there are a lot of suspended sediments the temperature of the surface water can rise. Turbidity can also make it hard for fish to see their prey. Heavy loads of suspended solids can even clog fish gills and filter-feeding devices of aquatic macroinvertebrates (water bugs). As solid matter settles, it may cover and harm plants and animals and spawning beds.

Drainage or runoff from abandoned mines may also contribute to nonpoint source pollution. If air, water and sulfur-containing rocks mix, chemical reactions can lead to the formation of sulfuric acid and iron hydroxide. This acid runoff dissolves certain heavy metals (e.g., copper, lead and mercury) which contaminate waterways. Acid mine drainage can also affect the pH of water. Water with an extremely high or low pH is deadly. Water with relatively low pH (acidic) may reduce the hatching success of fish eggs and irritate fish and aquatic insect gills and damage membranes.

Control Mechanisms

There is currently no federal enforcement for nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is primarily controlled by state, tribal, or local agencies that develop management programs. Many of these programs use Best Management Practices (BMPs), which are technical on-the-ground controls that can reduce nonpoint source pollution. An example of a BMP would be creating a vegetation buffer between an animal feeding operation and a stream. The vegetation can help take-up and filter nonpoint source pollutants like nutrients and sediments.