Nonpoint Source Pollution: Strategies For Mitigation And Prevention

Nonpoint source pollution can damage aquatic habitats, harm aquatic life and reduce the capacity of water resources to be used for drinking water and recreation. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce or stop nonpoint source pollution, many of which are simple things we can do in our own backyards. This text will explore the different ways we can reduce our impact on water quality.

Keep oils and chemicals out of local streams by using local toxic drop-off sites

Nonpoint source pollution can damage aquatic habitats, harm aquatic life, and reduce the capacity of water resources to be used for drinking water and recreation. However, there are many simple things we can do to reduce our impact on water quality.

One way to keep oils and chemicals out of local streams is by using local toxic drop-off sites. These sites are often supported by state and local governments, volunteer groups, water quality professionals, and ordinary people, all working together to clean up our lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. By using these sites, you can help prevent nonpoint source pollution and protect our water resources.

It is important to properly dispose of oils and chemicals, as these substances can be harmful to the environment and aquatic life. Local toxic drop-off sites are designed to handle these types of materials safely and responsibly. By using these sites, you can help reduce the amount of pollution that enters our waterways.

In addition to using local toxic drop-off sites, there are other ways to keep oils and chemicals out of local streams. Maintaining your vehicles to reduce leaks is one way to prevent oil and chemical pollution. Another way is to never pour any materials down a storm drain, as these drains often flow directly into local waterways.

By following these simple steps, we can all do our part to keep oils and chemicals out of local streams and protect our environment and water resources.

Prevent leaks from vehicles

Nonpoint source pollution can be prevented by taking simple actions on your property or in your community. One way to do this is to prevent leaks from vehicles. This can be done by properly maintaining your vehicle, such as by regularly checking for leaks and fixing them promptly. You can also support local toxic drop-off sites and never pour any materials down a storm drain.

Another way to prevent nonpoint source pollution is to do things on your property that can hold onto stormwater, such as planting a rain garden or connecting your downspouts to rain barrels. You can then use that water to irrigate your landscape during dry periods. Make sure the barrel's overflow goes to a pervious surface like a garden or yard instead of your impervious driveway. When it's time to replace your driveway, consider using a porous pavement.

Additionally, you can learn about wetlands, household hazardous waste, and composting. These are all simple things that can help reduce your impact on water quality.

Use rain gardens to catch excess storm water

Nonpoint source pollution can damage aquatic habitats, harm aquatic life, and reduce the capacity of water resources to be used for drinking water and recreation. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce or stop nonpoint source pollution, and many of these are simple things we can do in our own backyards.

One way to reduce nonpoint source pollution is to use rain gardens to catch excess storm water. A rain garden is a planted area designed to catch and infiltrate excess storm water as it flows across your yard. This helps to prevent downstream flooding and stream bank erosion, which can increase nonpoint source pollution.

When creating a rain garden, it is important to choose plants that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions, as the garden will be inundated with water during storms but may also experience dry periods. Native plants are often a good choice, as they are adapted to the local climate and can provide food and habitat for wildlife.

To maximize the effectiveness of a rain garden, you can connect your downspouts to rain barrels and then use that water to irrigate the garden during dry periods. This helps to reduce the amount of water flowing into storm drains and can also help to reduce your water bill. Make sure the barrel's overflow goes to a pervious surface like a garden or yard instead of your impervious driveway. When it's time to replace your driveway, consider using a porous pavement that will allow water to infiltrate into the ground.

By implementing rain gardens and other stormwater management practices, we can help to reduce nonpoint source pollution and protect our water resources.

Learn about wetlands and composting

Nonpoint source pollution can damage aquatic habitats, harm aquatic life, and reduce the capacity of water resources to be used for drinking water and recreation. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce or stop nonpoint source pollution, many of which are simple things we can do right in our own backyards.

One way to reduce nonpoint source pollution is to learn about wetlands and composting. Wetlands are a vital part of the ecosystem and can help to filter and clean water before it flows into our rivers, lakes, and streams. By learning about wetlands and how they function, we can better understand their importance in maintaining water quality and take steps to protect and preserve them.

Composting is another great way to reduce nonpoint source pollution. Composting is the process of recycling organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. By composting, we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, which can help to reduce water pollution. Additionally, composting can improve soil health and water retention, leading to healthier plants and a reduced need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which can also contribute to nonpoint source pollution.

• Choose a composting method that suits your space and lifestyle. There are various types of composting, such as tumbler composting, trench composting, and worm composting.
• Collect organic waste, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods to your compost as they can attract pests and cause odours.
• Maintain a balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials in your compost. Examples of green materials include grass clippings and vegetable scraps, while brown materials include dry leaves and wood chips.
• Turn your compost regularly to aerate it and speed up the decomposition process.
• Once your compost is ready, use it to amend your garden soil or donate it to community gardens or farmers' markets.

By learning about wetlands and composting, and taking action in our own backyards, we can all play a part in reducing nonpoint source pollution and protecting our water resources.

Reduce your impact on water quality

Nonpoint source pollution can damage aquatic habitats, harm aquatic life, and reduce the capacity of water resources to be used for drinking water and recreation. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce or stop nonpoint source pollution, many of which are simple things we can do right in our own backyards.

One way to reduce your impact on water quality is to keep oils and chemicals out of local streams by utilizing and supporting local toxic drop-off sites, maintaining vehicles to reduce leaks and never pouring any materials down a storm drain. You can also do things on your property that can hold onto stormwater like a sponge, giving it time to infiltrate into groundwater. For example, you could plant a rain garden to catch and infiltrate excess stormwater as it flows across your yard. Connect your downspouts to rain barrels and then use that water to irrigate your landscape during dry periods. Make sure the barrel’s overflow goes to a pervious surface like a garden or yard instead of your impervious driveway. When it’s time to replace your driveway, use some type of porous pavement.

You can also learn about wetlands, household hazardous waste, and composting.

Frequently asked questions