How serious is nonpoint source pollution?
NPS is the number one threat to the waters of the state of Maine and the nation. Maine has 2,500 Great Ponds, and almost 10%, or 234 lakes, are known to have water quality problems. Many of these lakes are experiencing “cultural eutrophication”, or increased algal growth, that reduces water clarity and dissolved oxygen for fish habitat. There are 230 closed shellfish areas ( 269,387 acres “off limits” to harvesting) and 724.5 miles of rivers, streams and brooks that fail to fully support all their designated uses. NPS pollution is the major reason for most of these water quality problems. Nationally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a full 60 percent of all pollution sources are nonpoint.
