Nonpoint sources of water pollution

Excerpt

THE water pollution generated by nonpoint sources, from a nationwide perspective, can appear over-whelming. The sheer size of the land area involved, the vast number of activities that contribute to nonpont-source pollution, and the institutional considerations that come into play in managing nonpoint sources can lead to the feeling that the nonpoint problem is too big to address. But such is not the case.

What is required is a narrowing of focus on the problem. First, states must identify the most important water quality problems caused by nonpoint sources. Second, to maximize the effectiveness of limited funds, states must concentrate on a limited number of water bodies where there is potential for improvement if nonpoint sources are controlled and where other sources will not preclude such improvement. Third, states must identify the major types of nonpoint sources or land use activities within watersheds that contribute nonpoint pollutants to affected water bodies. Finally, states must determine exactly what types of best management practices (BMPs) are needed and where they should be located within watersheds.

Experience has shown that in many watersheds a significant percentage of the pollution load and consequent water quality problems come from limited portions of …