UPCOMING EVENTS
View full calendarPoint-Source Pollution
WHAT IS POINT SOURCE POLLUTION?
Point sources are pollutants that discharge through a pipe or other conduit from specific discharges (such as an industry or municipal treatment plant) and is defined in Section 502(14) of the Clean Water Act.
WHY CARE ABOUT POINT SOURCE POLLUTION?
Water that is polluted may endanger wildlife, drinking water, aquatic life, and our recreation. Point source pollution includes a variety of pollutants including nutrients, metals, biological material, bacteria, etc. Factories and sewage treatment plants are common sources of pollution through their discharged water (or effluent). Some factories discharge their effluent directly to the local waterways while others treat the water before it is discharged. Sewage treatment plants discharge waters that have been treated through their system.
HOW IS POINT SOURCE POLLUTION MANAGED?
Standards for the quality of water are set based on ways that we use water (beneficial uses) such as drinking, recreation, agriculture, and aquatic life). Point source pollution discharge is limited through NPDES permits to ensure standards of receiving waters are not exceeded. Utah has state specific standards as directed by Utah Administrative Code UAC R317-2.
EXAMPLES OF POINT SOURCE POLLUTION
- 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, pharmaceuticals
- Sewage Treatment Plants
HELPFUL LINKS