Understanding Point Sources: A Key To Water Pollution Prevention

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...”. Pollutants enter water environments from two main types of sources: point sources and non-point sources. Unregulated discharges from point sources can result in water pollution and unsafe drinking water, and can restrict activities like fishing and swimming.

Single identifiable source of pollution

A point source is a single, identifiable source of pollution, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack. Pollutants enter water environments from two main types of sources: point sources and non-point sources. Unregulated discharges from point sources can result in water pollution and unsafe drinking water, and can restrict activities like fishing and swimming. Some of the chemicals discharged by point sources are harmless, but others are toxic to people and wildlife.

Large farms that raise livestock, such as cows, pigs and chickens, are other sources of point source pollution. These types of farms are known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Run-offs from urban land use and from on-site wastewater treatment systems are examples of non-point source pollution. During rainfall, stormwater run-off from the streets is contaminated with surface contaminants including car oil and tire particles. This mixes with runoff from soil and sediments from construction sites and also with chemicals from industrial areas. Similarly, run-off can also occur from agricultural land use. In farming areas, pesticides, fertilizers, and animal manure can wash along with the soil into the water bodies.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines point source pollution as “any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe...”. Factories and sewage treatment plants are two common types of point sources. EPA regulates high-risk point source waste discharges through the works approval and licensing system, and associated compliance and enforcement activities. EPA’s regulation of point source waste discharges has been important in improving the quality of Victoria’s water environments. No longer do we have raw sewage and abattoir waste continually flowing in our rivers as we did in the 1970s. While effort is still needed to maintain and further improve these environments, some of the major threats to the health of Victoria’s water quality are now from non-point sources.

Discharge pollutants from pipes

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...” This includes factories and sewage treatment plants, which are two common types of point sources.

Industrial wastes are commonly discharged to rivers and the sea through pipes. EPA regulates high-risk point source waste discharges through the works approval and licensing system, and associated compliance and enforcement activities. EPA’s regulation of point source waste discharges has been important in improving the quality of Victoria’s water environments. No longer do we have raw sewage and abattoir waste continually flowing in our rivers as we did in the 1970s.

Unregulated discharges from point sources can result in water pollution and unsafe drinking water, and can restrict activities like fishing and swimming. Some of the chemicals discharged by point sources are harmless, but others are toxic to people and wildlife. Whether a discharged chemical is harmful to the aquatic environment depends on a number of factors, including the type of chemical, its concentration, the timing of its release, weather conditions, and the organisms living in the area.

Large farms that raise livestock, such as cows, pigs and chickens, are other sources of point source pollution. These types of farms are known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Regulated by the EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines point source pollution as "any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack."

Pollutants enter water environments from two main types of sources: point sources and non-point sources. Unregulated discharges from point sources can result in water pollution and unsafe drinking water, and can restrict activities like fishing and swimming. Some of the chemicals discharged by point sources are harmless, but others are toxic to people and wildlife. Whether a discharged chemical is harmful to the aquatic environment depends on a number of factors, including the type of chemical, its concentration, the timing of its release, weather conditions, and the organisms living in the area.

The EPA regulates high-risk point source waste discharges through the works approval and licensing system, and associated compliance and enforcement activities. EPA’s regulation of point source waste discharges has been important in improving the quality of Victoria’s water environments. No longer do we have raw sewage and abattoir waste continually flowing in our rivers as we did in the 1970s. While effort is still needed to maintain and further improve these environments, some of the major threats to the health of Victoria’s water quality are now from non-point sources.

Factories and sewage treatment plants are two common types of point sources. Large farms that raise livestock, such as cows, pigs and chickens, are other sources of point source pollution. These types of farms are known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Run-offs from urban land use and from on-site wastewater treatment systems are examples of non-point source pollution. During rainfall, stormwater run-off from the streets is contaminated with surface contaminants including car oil and tire particles. This mixes with runoff from soil and sediments from construction sites and also with chemicals from industrial areas. Similarly, run-off can also occur from agricultural land use. In farming areas, pesticides, fertilizers, and animal manure can wash along with the soil into the water bodies.

Examples: factories, sewage treatment plants

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...”. This includes factories and sewage treatment plants, which are two common types of point sources.

Industrial wastes are commonly discharged to rivers and the sea through pipes and drains, which are examples of point sources. Unregulated discharges from these sources can result in water pollution and unsafe drinking water, and can restrict activities like fishing and swimming. Some of the chemicals discharged by point sources are harmless, but others are toxic to people and wildlife.

Factories and sewage treatment plants are regulated by the EPA through the works approval and licensing system, and associated compliance and enforcement activities. The EPA’s regulation of point source waste discharges has been important in improving the quality of Victoria’s water environments.

Large farms that raise livestock, such as cows, pigs and chickens, are other sources of point source pollution. These types of farms are known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Run-offs from urban land use and from on-site wastewater treatment systems are examples of non-point source pollution.

Unregulated discharges cause water pollution

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...” This includes pipes, ditches, ships, and factory smokestacks. Factories and sewage treatment plants are two common types of point sources. Large farms that raise livestock, such as cows, pigs, and chickens, are other sources of point source pollution. These types of farms are known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Unregulated discharges from point sources can result in water pollution and unsafe drinking water, and can restrict activities like fishing and swimming. Some of the chemicals discharged by point sources are harmless, but others are toxic to people and wildlife. Whether a discharged chemical is harmful to the aquatic environment depends on a number of factors, including the type of chemical, its concentration, the timing of its release, weather conditions, and the organisms living in the area.

The National Primary Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program regulates the discharge of pollutants from point sources to “navigable waters” also referred to as “waters of the US”. EPA regulates high-risk point source waste discharges through the works approval and licensing system, and associated compliance and enforcement activities. EPA’s regulation of point source waste discharges has been important in improving the quality of Victoria’s water environments. No longer do we have raw sewage and abattoir waste continually flowing in our rivers as we did in the 1970s. While effort is still needed to maintain and further improve these environments, some of the major threats to the health of Victoria’s water quality are now from non-point sources.

Run-offs from urban land use and from on-site wastewater treatment systems are examples of non-point source pollution. During rainfall, stormwater run-off from the streets is contaminated with surface contaminants including car oil and tire particles. This mixes with runoff from soil and sediments from construction sites and also with chemicals from industrial areas. Similarly, run-off can also occur from agricultural land use. In farming areas, pesticides, fertilizers, and animal manure can wash along with the soil into the water bodies.

Frequently asked questions