Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutions, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and even our underground sources of drinking water. These pollutions include:

• Excess fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides from agricultural lands and residential areas;

• Oil, grease and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production;

• Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands and eroding stream banks;

• Salt from irrigation practices

• Acid drainage from abandoned mines;

• Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes and faulty septic systems;

How to prevent nonpoint source pollution

Additional information on NPS can be found on the following websites:

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation District INC.

Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental  Protection

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency