Strategies To Reduce Point Source Pollution: Actionable Steps

Point source pollution is defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack. This includes factories, sewage treatment plants, and large farms that raise livestock. To reduce point-source pollution, the Clean Water Act established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which requires factories, sewage treatment plants, and other point sources to obtain a permit before discharging waste into any body of water. While this has helped control point-source pollution, it is also important to address non-point source pollution, which is more challenging to identify and control. This includes stormwater runoff containing fertilizers, pesticides, and oil residue, as well as soil erosion and pollution from construction sites. To reduce non-point source pollution, individuals can properly dispose of waste, maintain septic tanks, reduce livestock impact on water quality, and implement buffer strips and retention ponds to absorb and filter pollutants.

Properly dispose of oil, grease, and household chemicals

Properly disposing of oil, grease, and household chemicals is essential for maintaining a healthy home environment and protecting plumbing and sewage systems. Here are some detailed guidelines for proper disposal:

Cooking Oil and Grease

Cooking oil and grease should not be poured down the drain as they can solidify and clog pipes, leading to plumbing issues and even sewage backups. Instead, allow the oil or grease to cool completely and solidify. For small amounts, it is acceptable to dispose of the solidified substance in the trash. However, larger quantities may be better suited for recycling.

When disposing of cooking oil and grease, choose a suitable container that can be sealed tightly to prevent spills and leaks. Options include empty jars, milk cartons, or dedicated grease containers. For larger amounts, consider using empty laundry detergent bottles or similar household items with secure caps. Ensure that the container can withstand the oil without deteriorating. Once the oil has cooled and been transferred to the container, seal it tightly. If the container is full, it can be disposed of directly in the household trash.

Some areas offer cooking oil recycling programs, particularly for larger quantities. Recycled cooking oil can be converted into biodiesel fuel. Check with your local waste management department or online resources to locate a collection site near you.

Motor Oil

Used motor oil should never be poured down house or street drains as it can harm underwater vegetation and aquatic life. Instead, take it to a service station, which is required by law to accept up to five gallons of used motor oil per person per day, free of charge.

Household Chemicals

Household chemicals, such as used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other toxic substances, should be disposed of properly. Do not pour them down storm sewers or drains. Utilize local toxic drop-off sites or support the establishment of a community program for collecting household hazardous wastes if one does not already exist.

Additionally, when dealing with spills, clean up any brake fluid, oil, grease, or antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street, as they can eventually reach local streams and lakes.

Maintain septic tanks

Maintaining your septic tank is an important way to reduce point source pollution. Septic tanks, or onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS), treat and dispose of household wastewater, including that from bathrooms, kitchen sinks, and laundry machines.

• Regularly pump your septic tank: Depending on the size of your household, the size of your tank, and the amount of wastewater produced, you should pump your tank every 3 to 5 years. This will cost around $300 to $400. If you don't pump your tank regularly, repairs or replacements could cost between $3000 to $10,000.
• Don't flush trash: Only flush regular toilet paper. Do not flush wet wipes, even if the brand says they are flushable. Avoid flushing cigarette butts, paper towels, and facial tissues, as these take longer to break down.
• Be mindful of what goes down the kitchen drain: Avoid pouring oil, fat, and grease down the kitchen drain. Oils and fats can solidify and clog pipes, and grease can congeal and trap other materials, causing blockages. Also, avoid excessive use of harsh cleaning products and detergents, as these can affect the microbes in your septic tank.
• Dispose of prescription drugs properly: Do not flush prescription drugs or antibiotics down the toilet. These can contaminate water supplies and harm the environment.
• Limit the use of garbage disposals: Garbage disposals add organic matter to your septic system, which will require more frequent pumping. Instead, consider composting your fruit and vegetable scraps.
• Be careful with the area above your tank and drain field: Your septic system should be surrounded by non-compacted soil. Do not drive vehicles or heavy equipment over the system, as this can damage pipes. Avoid planting trees or shrubs with deep roots that could damage pipes or disrupt the system. Consider planting grass over the drain field to stabilize the soil and absorb liquid and nutrients.
• Conserve water: Reducing water usage will lower the amount of water pumped into your septic tank. This gives more time for materials to separate in the tank. Water conservation practices include repairing leaky faucets, toilets, and pipes, installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, and only running the washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.

By properly maintaining your septic tank, you can not only reduce pollution but also save money by avoiding costly repairs or replacements.

Reduce livestock impact on water quality

Livestock farming can be a source of point source pollution, particularly if animal waste is untreated. To reduce the impact of livestock on water quality, it is important to prevent animals from directly accessing water sources such as streams and rivers. Fencing off water sources and providing alternative drinking water can help achieve this. Implementing a rotational grazing system can also reduce pasture erosion and give vegetation time to grow.

Water quality and quantity are important factors in livestock health and production. Good water quality can increase water intake and improve livestock production. It is recommended to regularly test water sources, especially if using shallow water sources, during droughts, or if there are concerns about water quality. High levels of certain minerals, such as salinity, nitrogen, and heavy metals, can be detrimental to livestock health. Additionally, bacterial contamination, toxic blue-green algae, and spills of petroleum, pesticides, or fertilizers can also impact water quality and livestock health.

Farm managers should ensure that livestock have ample access to good quality water to support maximum production. Studies have shown that when cows have readily accessible water, dairy production increases. Additionally, keeping livestock within 800 feet of water can increase pasture carrying capacity by 14%. Proper management of water sources can lead to more uniform grazing and nutrient distribution, which is beneficial for pasture growth.

To further reduce the impact of livestock on water quality, it is important to manage animal waste properly. This includes providing adequate drainage around the water supply and ensuring that wells are on elevated ground to prevent surface runoff. Livestock producers should also be aware of potential industrial contaminants, particularly those related to petroleum, that can be released into the environment and impact water sources. Regular monitoring of water intake and quality is essential to identify any issues and maintain the health and productivity of livestock.

Control soil erosion

Soil erosion is a significant environmental concern, threatening the sustainability and productivity of agriculture. It is caused by human activities such as farming, land clearing, and overgrazing, which leave the soil vulnerable to wind and water. To control soil erosion, several measures can be implemented:

Plant ground cover and vegetation

Trees, shrubs, hedgerows, and ground cover plants can act as a natural barrier against wind and water erosion. These plants help to bind the soil to roots and prevent it from being swept away. Planting buffer strips along fields bordering streams and encouraging the growth of a healthy riparian corridor can also help keep fertile soil in place.

Implement conservation tillage practices

Reduced tillage techniques improve soil structure and protect it from erosion. Adopting a no-till or minimal tillage approach can reduce erosion and runoff, benefiting crop productivity and water quality.

Practice rotational grazing

Rotational grazing involves moving livestock between different pasture paddocks, allowing each paddock to regrow undisturbed. This minimizes soil compaction and erosion while promoting vegetation growth. Installing fencing and stream crossings can also keep pastures safe from degradation.

Use soil-friendly agricultural practices

Terraced farming and intercropping can help prevent erosion on hillside farms. Terraces prevent erosion and direct water flow to crops, while intercropping, such as planting rows of maize or soybean between oil palm trees, helps keep the soil in place.

Offer incentives for sustainable land management

Implementing anti-erosion measures can be costly for farmers, so governments and banks should provide support and incentives. This includes helping farmers access credit and resources to implement erosion-prevention practices, such as sustainable forest management and reforestation efforts.

Focus on prevention and rehabilitation

Land management policies should prioritize rehabilitating damaged land, stopping further degradation, and implementing erosion-preventative measures. By addressing both prevention and rehabilitation, we can help ensure food security, protect the environment, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Reduce nutrient runoff from fields

Nutrient runoff from fields poses a significant risk to the health of waterways and can have long-lasting and complex implications for the environment, ecosystems, and the human population. Here are some ways to reduce nutrient runoff from fields:

Adopting Nutrient Management Techniques

Farmers can improve nutrient management practices by applying nutrients (fertilizer and manure) in the right amount, at the right time of year, with the right method, and with the right placement. This can significantly reduce how much fertilizer reaches water bodies.

Using Conservation Drainage Practices

Subsurface tile drainage is an important practice to manage water movement on and through many soils, typically in the Midwest. Conservation drainage describes practices including modifying drainage system design and operation, woodchip bioreactors, saturated buffers, and modifications to the drainage ditch system. These strategies are necessary to reduce nutrient loads while maintaining adequate drainage for crop production.

Ensuring Year-Round Ground Cover

Farmers can plant cover crops or perennial species to prevent periods of bare ground on farm fields when the soil (and the nutrients it contains) are most susceptible to erosion and loss into waterways.

Planting Field Buffers

By planting trees, shrubs, and grasses along the edges of fields, farmers can help prevent nutrient loss from fields. This is especially important for fields that border water bodies, as these planted buffers can absorb or filter out nutrients before they reach the water.

Implementing Conservation Tillage

Reducing the frequency and intensity of tilling can help improve soil health and reduce erosion, runoff, and soil compaction. This, in turn, decreases the chance of nutrients reaching waterways through runoff.

Managing Livestock Access to Streams

By installing fences along streams, rivers, and lakes, farmers and ranchers can block livestock access to help restore stream banks and prevent excess nutrients from entering the water.

Engaging in Watershed Efforts

Collaboration between a wide range of people, stakeholders, and organizations across an entire watershed is vital to reducing nutrient pollution. Farmers can play a leadership role in these efforts by engaging with state governments, farm organizations, conservation groups, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and community groups.

Frequently asked questions