Nonpoint Source Pollution

By Gabe

What really is surface runoff?

• Surface runoff is when water flows over land collecting different materials in its path.

• Many think that it is when materials on the surface such as chemicals or pesticides runoff into different places but that is not correct.

The truth about nonpoint source pollution.

• NPS pollution is 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, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water.

• The main difference between nonpoint source pollution is that it doesn’t come from of place. Pollution from a refinery or paper factory wouldn’t count toward NPS pollution.

Does every person really contribute to NPS pollution?

• It is true…every person does contribute.• Weather it is putting fertilizer on your garden

so that your plants will grow stronger.• Weather you put salt on your driveway to

melt the ice, you are contributing!

The real criminals responsible for nonpoint source pollution.

• Refineries, sewage treatment plants, and paper factories all pollute the environment, but they aren’t involved in NPS.

• However, fertilizers on gardens, and all chemicals on farms culprits of being involved in NPS.

The leading cause in water quality problems.

• Sadly, our lunch room dish washers are not the leading cause in water quality problems and neither are factories.

• The TRUE leader in water quality problems is nonpoint source pollution.

Yes…you can help!

• There are many ways that YOU…yes you can help and prevent nonpoint source pollution.

• Simply not putting fertilizer down on your lawn and/or garden could keep rivers, lakes, and oceans much cleaner and safer for everyone.

Please help me with one more thing.

• After taking this PowerPoint, please take a survey that I will post on MSStudents to test how much attention you have paid to this very fun PowerPoint!