Non-Point Source

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    Non-Point Source

    What is Non-Point Source (NPS)? Runoff

    The term "nonpoint source" is defined to mean any source of water pollution that does not  meet the legal definition of "point source" in the Clean Water Act. An example of nonpoint  source pollution would be rainfall or snowmelt picking up natural or anthropogenic  (human-made) 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.

    Examples of NPS

    Non-Point Source Pollutant
    Urban Runoff Oil, Grease, Toxic chemicals, Nutrients
    Poorly Managed Construction Sites Sediment
    Irrigation Practices Salt
    Abandoned Mines Acid drainage
    Livestock Operations, Pet and Human Wastes, and Faulty Septic Systems Bacteria, Nutrients

     

    Effects of NPS Pollution

    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, 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.
     

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