Helena Joyce
Nonpoint source pollution is a leading cause of water quality degradation, and it can be challenging to control due to its diverse sources. Nonpoint source pollution is defined as any water pollution that does not originate from a single, confined source, as described in the Clean Water Act. This type of pollution arises from various human activities and natural processes, such as rainfall or snowmelt, carrying away pollutants from the ground and depositing them into water bodies. These pollutants include oil, pesticides, fertilizers, sediment, bacteria, and chemicals, which can harm aquatic habitats, drinking water supplies, and recreational activities. While nonpoint source pollution is challenging to address, it is essential to improve the management of urban, suburban, and agricultural areas to mitigate its impact on water quality.
What You'll Learn
Urban and suburban areas
Nonpoint source water pollution is challenging to control because it arises from the daily activities of many different people. This includes lawn fertilization, applying pesticides, road construction, and building construction. Controlling nonpoint source pollution requires improving the management of urban and suburban areas, agricultural operations, forestry operations, and marinas.
In urban and suburban areas, construction sites are a major source of nonpoint source pollution. Disturbed or piled-up soil can easily erode, and discarded construction materials such as plastics, wood, oils, and trash can be carried away by runoff waters. Additionally, chemicals used in lawn care and pet wastes from suburban areas often end up in runoff, further contributing to nonpoint source pollution.
The impact of urban runoff on waterway health is significant. In many towns and cities, water flowing into storm drains is not treated before emptying into nearby water bodies, leading to the contamination of lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands. To protect water quality, it is essential to keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains. Proper disposal of household chemicals and used oils is also crucial to reducing nonpoint source pollution in urban and suburban areas.
Low-impact development practices, such as incorporating environmentally sound building and landscaping techniques, can help reduce urban runoff and improve water quality. Additionally, implementing programs for collecting household hazardous wastes can play a vital role in mitigating nonpoint source pollution in urban and suburban communities.
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Agricultural operations
Additionally, bacteria and nutrients from livestock and poultry manure can contaminate water sources, leading to beach and shellfish bed closures and affecting the safety of drinking water. The impact of these pollutants varies based on factors such as the type of farming operation, landscape conditions, soil types, climate, and farm management practices.
To address these issues, organizations like the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) have implemented initiatives such as the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI). The NWQI aims to improve water quality by promoting the adoption of conservation practices, such as implementing on-farm systems that control and trap runoff in high-priority watersheds.
By focusing on improving management practices and modifying land use, agricultural operations can play a crucial role in reducing nonpoint source pollution and minimizing its impact on water quality. This includes adopting soil and water conservation techniques, such as those outlined in the NWQI, to reduce the runoff of sediments, nutrients, bacteria, and other pollutants.
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Atmospheric inputs
The atmosphere can be a primary source of pollutant input into water bodies, as evidenced by studies on the impact of atmospheric trace metals on the water quality of lakes in the United States. These studies revealed that the atmosphere could be the main source of at least nine trace metals in the lakes. Similarly, research on the sources of PCB input to the Southern California Bight indicated that the atmosphere is as significant as municipal wastewater systems in contributing PCB to water bodies.
Air pollutants with the highest potential to degrade water quality include nitrogen, mercury, combustion emissions, pesticides, and other heavy metals. These pollutants can settle into bodies of water, damaging the ecosystems within them and posing risks to public health. Mercury is the most hazardous air pollutant due to its environmental behaviour.
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Highway runoff
Nonpoint source pollution is defined as any source of water pollution that does not meet the legal definition of "point source" as outlined in the Clean Water Act. Point sources refer to confined conveyances, such as pipes or tunnels, from which pollutants are discharged. Nonpoint source pollution, on the other hand, arises from a variety of everyday human activities and is challenging to control due to its diverse origins.
Sediment from highway runoff poses several environmental concerns. As the sediment settles onto the bottoms of water bodies, it can smother fish spawning areas and hinder aquatic plant growth by blocking sunlight. Additionally, the sediment can clog fish gills and irritate other organisms, potentially causing respiratory issues and even death. The presence of heavy metals and pesticides in the sediment further exacerbates the toxicity of the water, leading to a decline in aquatic life and overall water quality.
To address the issue of highway runoff, various management measures and best practices have been established. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991, for instance, includes provisions for mitigating water pollution resulting from highway runoff. This legislation allows states to allocate a portion of their federal funding towards implementing runoff pollution control devices and best management practices (BMPs) to prevent polluted runoff from reaching water bodies.
Additionally, programs such as the National Estuary Program (NEP) and the pesticides program under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act assist in controlling roadway pollution. The NEP focuses on point sources and runoff pollution in high-priority estuaries, while the pesticides program regulates pesticides that could potentially contaminate ground and surface waters. By implementing these measures and programs, the environmental impact of highway runoff can be mitigated, helping to protect aquatic habitats, safeguard drinking water sources, and preserve recreational and ecological values associated with water bodies.
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Mining operations
In strip mining, for example, the top layers of soil and vegetation are removed to expose the desired ore. If the area where strip mining occurred is not properly reclaimed after mining activities have ended (i.e., if the soil is not replaced and graded, and vegetation not replanted), erosion can occur. This erosion can lead to increased levels of sediment in nearby bodies of water, which is a form of nonpoint source pollution.
Additionally, mining can expose sulfur-containing rocks, which can react with air and water to form sulfuric acid and iron hydroxide. This acidic runoff can dissolve heavy metals such as copper, lead, and mercury, which then contaminate streams and other water bodies. This type of pollution is also considered nonpoint source pollution, as it is not discharged from a single, identifiable point source.
The water that seeps out of abandoned subsurface mines can also be highly acidic and contaminated with heavy metals such as zinc, copper, or arsenic. This contaminated water can seep into nearby streams and rivers, changing the pH of the aquatic environment and causing significant ecological damage.
To prevent mining operations from contributing to nonpoint source water pollution, proper reclamation and remediation techniques must be employed. This includes ensuring that the soil is replaced and graded, and that vegetation is replanted to prevent erosion and the formation of acidic runoff.
By implementing effective reclamation and remediation measures, the impact of mining operations on water quality can be mitigated, helping to protect aquatic ecosystems and ensure the safety of drinking water supplies.
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Frequently asked questions
Non-point source pollution is any source of water pollution that does not meet the legal definition of "point source" in section 502(14) of the Clean Water Act. Point sources are defined as any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, such as pipes, ditches, tunnels, or containers, from which pollutants are discharged. Non-point source pollution, on the other hand, comes from multiple sources and is difficult to regulate.
Non-point source pollution can come from a variety of sources, including urban and suburban areas, agricultural operations, forestry, mining, and construction activities. For example, contaminated stormwater washed off parking lots, roads, and highways is often classified as non-point source pollution. Other examples include fertilizer and pesticide use, road salt, oil, pet waste, and sediment.
Non-point source pollution is the leading cause of water quality problems in many states. These pollutants can have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife. For example, an overabundance of nutrients from fertilizers and animal waste can cause excess algae growth in lakes and streams, which can lead to fish kills and impaired aquatic habitats.
Non-point source pollution can be reduced by implementing proper land management practices that take into account the potential impact on water quality. This includes reducing and slowing down runoff, which is a major contributor to non-point source pollution. Additionally, individuals can make simple changes in their everyday activities, such as properly disposing of oil and pet waste, to reduce their impact on water quality.
