What causes nonpoint source pollution?
We all play a part. Nonpoint source pollution results from a wide variety of human activities on the land. Each of us can contribute to the problem without even realizing it. Q: What can we do about nonpoint source pollution? A: We can all work together to reduce and prevent nonpoint source pollution. Some activities are federal responsibilities, such as ensuring that federal lands are properly managed to reduce soil erosion. Some are state responsibilities, for example, developing legislation to govern mining and logging, and to protect groundwater. Others are best handled locally, such as by zoning or erosion control ordinances. And each individual can play an important role by practicing conservation and by changing certain everyday habits. • Increasing infiltration/ Decreasing runoff- plant trees, raingardens, gardens, decrease impervious surfaces, decrease area of lawn taken up by grass, use native plants. • Landscaping for water quality- Link to WMEAC Raingarden Page- www.raingar
Nonpoint source pollution invloves three natural processes: stormwater runoff, erosion and sedimentation. Rainwater flowing across land and entering streams and lakes is known as stormwater runoff. The force of the runoff breaking up the soils and detaching individual soil particles is termed erosion. The soil particles are eventually deposited into nearby streams and rivers. This process is called sedimentation. Although a natrual art of the water cycle; runoff, erosion and sedimentation have been accelerated by the way we have chosen to develop land.
