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Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution - What is it?

Nonpoint source pollution affects the water quality of our streams, rivers and lakes and ultimately our ability to use those resources for fishing, swimming and boating activities, or as sources of drinking water.

Nonpoint source pollution comes from many sources. Major sources include:

• Nutrients and bacteria from improperly designed, constructed, or operated septic tank systems ( map of septic tank usage in the 7 county area )
• Excess fertilizers and pesticides from farms and lawns that flow through the soils into the groundwater, or flow overland during heavy rains
• Soils and debris that come from improperly managed construction sites, eroding farmland and stream channels
• Nutrients, oil, asbestos, heavy metals, leaves and de-icing chemicals from road and street surfaces
• Animal wastes from feedlots and uncontrolled urban animals and other organic matter such as leaves and grass clippings
• Pollutants deposited by wind and rainfall