Picture this… You turn on your faucet to get a drink of water, but it is brown and stinks! You keep it running in hopes of “flushing” it out, but it doesn’t work! Confused, you wonder why this is happening!? You find out that pollutants have gotten into the drinking water system. You decide to do some research on how to prevent this from happening again.

Today we will… Discuss how different types of water uses pollute water resources Define point source and non-point source pollution Identify sources of point source and non-point source pollution associated with municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses Describe effective management practices commonly used to abate point and non-point sources of pollution

Water Pollution Sources Fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural runoff Sewage and food processing waste Lead, mercury, and other heavy metals Chemical wastes from hazardous waste sites Taken from: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Point Source Pollution As defined by the Clean Water Act: The term "point source" means any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged. This term does not include agricultural storm water discharges and return flows from irrigated agriculture. Taken from the EPA

Non-Point Source Pollution Generally results from land runoff, precipitation, atmospheric deposition, drainage, seepage or hydrologic modification Any source of water pollution that does not meet the legal definition of “point source” in section 502(14) of the Clean Water Act 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 pollutants, depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, etc. Taken from the EPA

Non-Point Source Pollution can 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 and acid drainage from abandoned mines Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes and faulty septic systems Atmospheric deposition and hydromodification Taken from the EPA

Controlling Point and Non-Point Source Pollution Non-Point source pollution is difficult to control because it comes from everyday activities, such as fertilizing a lawn, using a pesticide, or constructing a road or building Point source pollution comes in large amounts from a single source, so it is easier to control Point source pollution can be controlled through regulations that require treatment of a facility’s wastewater before it is discharged into a nearby lake or stream Taken from: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

The Watershed Approach Management practice used to abate non-point source pollution A watershed is the total geographic area that drains storm water (and pollutants) to a particular stream, lake, aquifer, or other water body Watershed approach examines and addresses water quality concerns in each water body in the context of its watershed and all the potential sources of pollution the watershed contains Taken from: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

What YOU can do to Prevent Non- Point Source Pollution Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and other debris out of street gutters and storm drains (these lead directly to bodies of water)- Pet owners should pick up after their pets and dispose of the wastes in the garbage or toilet. Wash your car on the grass so soapy water soaks into the ground. Use a hose nozzle to prevent water from running when not in use. Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to the directions Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household chemicals properly Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze. Do NOT hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes Taken from the EPA

What YOU can do to Prevent Non- Point Source Pollution Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas Encourage local government officials to develop construction erosion and sediment control ordinances in your community Have your septic system inspected and pumped at min. every 3-5 years, so that it operates properly Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorus to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our bodies of water Taken from the EPA

What YOU can do to Prevent Non- Point Source Pollution Manage animal waste to minimize contamination of surface water and ground water Protect drinking water by using less pesticides and fertilizers, or use natural products Reduce soil erosion by using conservation practices and other applicable best management practices Use planned grazing systems on pasture and rangeland Dispose of pesticides, containers, and tank rinsate in an approved manner Taken from the EPA

Other Sources of Information for Non-Point Source Pollution Management Texas Nonpoint Source Management Program Nonpoint Source Pollution

Identify Sources of Point Source and Non-Point Source Pollution Associated with Municipal, Industrial, and Agricultural uses Many sources of point source and non-point source pollution have already been discussed in this PowerPoint. Using them, and others you find online, sort them by municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses. Do this in pairs, or as a class.

Evaluation What is point source pollution? What is non-point source pollution? Name both a point source and non-point source of pollution for each of the following: municipal, industrial, and agricultural. What are 5 effective management practices commonly used to abate non-point sources of pollution? Why is it difficult to control point sources of pollution ? How do different types of water uses pollute water resources?

Summary Today we discussed point source and non-point source pollution. This information should improve your knowledge of different sources of pollution and why it is important to prevent them as much as possible.

References National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences EPA-United States Environmental Protection Agency Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Texas College and Career Readiness Standards Science I. D. 1. Science III. D. 1. Science III. D. 2.