“Protecting water quality through community planning”
Fact Sheet-04-42
Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials
Nonpoint Source
Water Pollution
N
By Susan Donaldson,
Water Quality Education
Specialist, and Melody
Hefner, NEMO Nevada
Program Staff, University
of Nevada Cooperative
Extension
“The bottom line is
that both polluted
Nonpoint source pollution is a fancy term for polluted runoff. Water washing over the land, whether from rain,
car washing or the watering of crops or lawns, picks up an array of contaminants. These contaminants include oil
and sediment from roadways, agricultural chemicals from farmland, and nutrients and toxic materials from urban
and suburban areas. This runoff finds its way into our waterways, either directly or through storm drain collection
systems.
The term nonpoint is used
now the single largest cause of the
into increased costs to you and
to distinguish this type of pollu-
deterioration of our nation’s water
your community.
tion from point source pollution.
quality.
Point source pollution comes from
There’s not much chance
that you can ignore this problem,
facilities. Scientific evidence shows
Whatever they call
it, why should I care
about it?
that although huge strides have
Polluted runoff does not just affect
and federal laws enacted over
likely to increasingly
been made in cleaning up major
large lakes or rivers. In fact, chances
the last 15 years. At the federal
point sources, our precious water
are that polluted runoff is affecting
level, a permit program for storm
affect you and your
resources are still threatened by
your neighborhood ditch or storm
water discharges from certain
the effects of polluted runoff. In fact,
water retention pond. Water pol-
municipalities, construction sites
community in the near
the United States Environmental
lution in your town, and perhaps
and businesses is now underway.
Protection Agency has estimated
in your own backyard, can result in
In addition to implementing these
future.”
that nonpoint source pollution is
anything from weed-choked areas
federal programs, many states have
to contaminated drinking water.
passed laws altering local land-use
An additional impact of nonpoint
(planning and zoning) processes
source pollution or polluted runoff
and building codes to address the
is economics. It affects our pocket-
problem of polluted runoff. Within
books! When polluted runoff enters
the Truckee Meadows, contractors
surface waters, water treatment
and developers are now required
plants have to work longer and
to use best management practices
harder to process the water, espe-
(BMPs) to reduce erosion and pol-
cially drinking water. This translates
lution from construction sites. The
runoff and its
management are
specific sources, such as sewage treatment plants or industrial
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Bringing the University to You
even if you want to. Concern over
polluted runoff has resulted in an
ever-increasing number of state
PAGE 2
²
NONPOINT SOURCE WATER POLLUTION
In Nevada, surface water quality is
regulated under several sections of
the Clean Water Act.
bottom line is that both polluted
runoff moves directly to storm
runoff and its management are
drains and ditches. These water
likely to increasingly affect you and
conduits deliver the storm water
your community in the near future.
directly to our waterways without
But wait a minute!
I live in the desert,
don’t I?
treatment. The result is a huge influx of pollutants in our waterways
after storm events.
Section 208 requires waste treatment management,
we don’t get rain. In fact, rainfall in
What causes
polluted runoff?
including urban storm water systems, by
Nevada and the bulk of the Great
You do. We all do. Polluted runoff is
local governments.
Basin doesn’t come in a gentle
the cumulative result of our every-
drizzle. Rainfall in our area often
day personal actions and our local
comes during brief but intense
land-use policies. Here’s a brief
standards and develop Total Maximum Daily
storm events, with significant
rundown of the causes and effects
Loads (TMDLs) for impaired surface waters.
amounts of rainfall occurring in a
of the major types of pollutants
short time frame. This increases the
carried by runoff. This data is also
nonpoint source pollution problem.
summarized in Tables 1 and 2.
Yes, you do. That doesn’t mean
Section 303 requires the state to set water quality
Section 319 authorizes States’ nonpoint source programs to help prevent nonpoint source pol-
One to four or more months of
lution through development of a Nonpoint
pollutants may have accumulated
PATHOGENS:
Source Management Plan.
on surfaces and roads by the time
Pathogens are disease-causing
the storm event occurs.
microorganisms, such as bacteria
Desert soils also have poor
and viruses, that come from the
water infiltration rates, so much of
fecal waste of humans and animals.
the water from the storm event
Exposure to pathogens can cause a
may move as surface runoff, col-
number of health problems and can
lecting pollutants as it flows. The
affect recreational safety. Boil orders
for drinking water occur when testing indicates that microbes have entered the water supply. Pathogens
wash off the land from wild animal,
farm animal and pet wastes. They
can also enter our waterways from
improperly functioning septic tanks,
leaky sewer lines and boat sanitary
disposal systems.
During a summer cloudburst, runoff
on roads and parking lots may
become contaminated with sediment
and other pollutants.
Photo by S. Donaldson
NONPOINT SOURCE WATER POLLUTION
²
PAGE 3
TABLE 1: SOURCES OF POLLUTED RUNOFF
Farmland
Managed
Green Space
(golf courses, parks, etc.)
Commercial &
Industrial
Residential
Nutrients
Fertilizers, manure or animal
wastes
Fertilizers
Automotive exhaust, landscaping
Fertilizers, septic system effluent,
car washing
Pathogens
Domestic & wild animal waste
Domestic & wild animal waste
Malfunctioning/overloaded
septic systems
Malfunctioning septic systems,
pet waste
Sediments
Erosion from fields, stream bank
erosion by animals
Erosion from unprotected,
exposed areas
Construction sites, roadside
erosion, road sand
Construction sites, road sand,
erosion from lawns & gardens
Toxic
Contaminants
Pesticides
Pesticides
Industrial pollutants, automotive
emissions & fluids
Household products, pesticides
Debris
Litter, illegal dumping
Litter, illegal dumping
Litter, illegal dumping
Litter, illegal dumping
Thermal
Removal of streamside vegetation
Shallow water impoundments,
Heated runoff, removal of
removal of streamside vegetation streamside vegetation, impoundments
NUTRIENTS:
SEDIMENT:
of human practices and products.
Nutrients are compounds that stim-
Sand, dirt and gravel eroded by
Many of these chemicals are very
ulate plant growth, such as nitrogen
runoff usually ends up in stream-
resistant to breakdown and tend
and phosphorus. Under normal
beds or retention ponds, or at the
to be passed through the food
conditions, nutrients are beneficial
shores of lakes or reservoirs. This
chain and concentrated in large
and necessary. However, in high
sediment can alter stream flow and
predators. Toxic chemicals include
concentrations, they can become
decrease the availability of healthy
such things as hydrocarbons,
an environmental threat. Nitrogen
aquatic habitat. Sediment affects
metals (lead, mercury, cadmium),
contamination of drinking water can
water clarity, may clog fish gills, and
pesticides (DDT), and organic
cause health problems, including
smothers spawning gravels. Some
compounds such as polychlorinated
“blue baby” syndrome. Having too
major sources of sediment include
biphenyls (PCBs). Fish consumption
many nutrients in ponds and lakes
poorly protected construction
health advisories result from con-
can lead to massive algal blooms
sites, bare soil at newly built sites,
cern over these toxic contaminants.
that can cause reduction in water
overly steep slopes resulting from
Oil, grease and gasoline (hydro-
clarity. As the algae die and decay,
poor construction methods, areas
carbons) from roadways; industrial
they can create odors and rob the
recently burned by wildfire, fallow
practices; and chemicals used in
waters of life-sustaining dissolved
agricultural fields, roadways and
homes, gardens and yards, and on
oxygen, which in turn can result in
suburban gardens.
farm crops are major sources of
fish kills. Nutrients in polluted runoff
toxic contaminants.
can come from agricultural fertil-
TOXIC CONTAMINANTS:
izers, septic systems, home lawn
Toxic contaminants are chemicals
DEBRIS:
care products, atmospheric deposi-
that can harm the health of aquatic
Trash is without a doubt the sim-
tion (car exhaust), car washing, and
life and/or human beings. These
plest type of pollution to under-
yard and animal wastes.
chemicals result from a wide variety
stand. It interferes with enjoyment
Heated runoff, removal
of streamside vegetation,
impoundments
Don’t know where
to go to recycle
your hazardous
materials?
Call the
Nevada Recycling Hotline:
800.597.5865
or go to:
www.ndep.nv.gov/recycl/
hotline.htm
PAGE 4
²
NONPOINT SOURCE WATER POLLUTION
of our water resources and, in
the case of plastic and Styrofoam,
can be a health threat to aquatic
organisms and other animals
found in wetland habitats. Typically
this debris starts as either street
litter that is carried by runoff into
our waterways, or as substances
dumped into streams, ditches and
storm drains for disposal.
What can I do
about all this?
Removal of streamside vegetation,
land clearing for development,
paved surfaces, shallow water
system. Contact the Natural
clean up your own act.
Resource Conservation Service
 Minimize exposed soil areas on
your property. Mulch or seed
these areas as soon as possible.
 Never pour or place household
chemicals, trash or yard wastes
stream.
 Recycle motor oil at authorized
stations.
 Recycle hazardous household
impoundments, concrete canals
materials, including paint, at
and other artificial structures can
designated sites or on specific
result in heated runoff and elevated
recycling days.
temperatures of surface water. This
can be detrimental to aquatic life by
negatively impacting aquatic health
and reproductive cycles.
develop a manure management
First of all, you can begin to
in a gutter, storm drain, ditch, or
THERMAL:
 Livestock owners should
 Pick up after pets and dispose
of their wastes in a responsible
manner.
(NRCS), (775) 784-5863, for
help.
 Do not over–water your lawn.
 Reduce the amount of pesticides and fertilizers you apply to
your gardens and lawns. Make
sure to read and follow package
directions carefully. Apply ONLY
what is needed.
 Inspect your septic system once
a year, and have it pumped
every three to five years.
 Boat owners should use marine
sanitation devices or pump-out
facilities at marinas.
 Wash your car at a designated
facility or on grass or gravel.
These simple suggestions can greatly reduce nonpoint source pollution
from you and your property.
As you can see, polluted
runoff is largely the result
of the way we develop, use
and maintain our land. These
policies are largely decided at the
municipal level, through the actions
of city and county officials, local
planning or zoning commissions,
and advisory boards. There are
many techniques that can greatly
reduce the effects of polluted runoff, and more are being developed
every day. The other fact sheets
in this series are devoted to telling
you about your options. If you’re
Nutrients from manure and lawn fertilizer promote the growth of algae in local
ponds and waterways.
on a local commission or advisory
board, learn a little more about
polluted runoff and how you can
combat it in the course of your
everyday decisions.
NONPOINT SOURCE WATER POLLUTION ²
PAGE 5
TABLE 2 : IMPACTS OF NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTANTS ON WATER RESOURCES
Fisheries
Nutrients
(nitrogen,
phosphorus)
Pathogens
(bacteria, viruses)
Sediment
Water Supply
Wetlands
Recreation
• Promotes algae blooms,
inhibiting aquatic plant
growth
• Promotes algae blooms,
resulting in odors and
poor taste
• Alters wetland vegetation
and habitat
• Promotes eutrophication
of lakes and rivers
• Favors survival of less
desirable species
• Increases treatment costs
• Reduces dissolved oxygen
levels through increased
productivity and decay of
organic matter
• Introduces disease-bearing
organisms to aquatic life
• Increases algae growth,
which may create public
health risks
• Increases nitrate concentration (drinking water
limit is 10 mg/L)
• Decreases aesthetic value
• Interferes with fishing and
boating activities
• Reduces tourism and
property values
• Increases public health
risks
• Results in loss of wetland
recreation areas
• Increases treatment costs
for drinking water supplies
• Introduces harmful
organisms to aquatic life
and food chain
• Decreases light transmission
• Damages water treatment pumps, equipment
• Reduces flood storage
• Increases surface water
temperature
• Increases treatment cost
• Alters habitat
• Decreases spawning
habitat
• Transports contaminants
• Increases peak discharges
• Closes swimming areas
• Decreases water clarity,
affecting public health and
safety
• Reduces reservoir
volume
• Reduces aesthetic and
recreational value
• Nutrients increase,
stimulating algae growth
• Reduces sport fishing
populations
• Decreases river bottom
infiltration, reducing well
yields
• Accumulates in sediments,
affecting bottom feeders
Toxic
Contaminants
(metals,
pesticides, hydrocarbons)
• Bioaccumulates in fish
tissue
• May kill fish and other
aquatic organisms
• Hinders photosynthesis in
aquatic plants
• Favors salt-tolerant species
• Creates stressful environment
Salts
• Increases treatment costs
• Forms deposits in pipes
(metals)
• Causes odors in water
supplies (pesticides)
• Colors water and stains
clothing and fixtures
• Bioaccumulates in food
web
• Reduces waterfront
property values
• Hinders photosynthesis
in aquatic plants
• May restrict sport fishing
• Affects reproductive rates
and life spans of wetland
organisms
• Poses public health risks
• Reduces drinking water
quality
• Alters wetland vegetation
and species composition
• May cause skin or eye
irritations
• Destroys habitat and
food sources for wetland
animals
• Destroys habitat and
food-source plants for
some species
• Alters species composition
Thermal
• Reduces growth and
health of fish
• Accelerates pump or
equipment corrosion
• Reduces resistance to
disease
• Promotes increased biological activity, producing
odors and poor taste
• Dissolved oxygen concentration decreases as
temperature increases
• Alters fishery from coldwater species to warmwater species
• Creates a more favorable
environment for pathogens
Adapted from “Nonpoint Source Pollution: A Handbook for Local Governments, 1997”
• Impacts health and
reproductive cycles of
aquatic life
• May stimulate growth of
algae and aquatic plants,
reducing water clarity,
aesthetic value, sport
fishing populations and
tourism
PAGE 6
²
NONPOINT SOURCE WATER POLLUTION
For more
information:
Resources on the Web
Contact the NEMO Project,
c/o Susan Donaldson, Ph.D.
CITY OF RENO
www.cityofreno.com
University of Nevada
City of Reno Planning Commission
www.cityofreno.com/comdev/planning/
Cooperative Extension
City of Reno Annexation and Land Development—Title 18
www.cityofreno.com/comdev/annex.html
CITY OF SPARKS
www.sparkscity.com
City of Sparks Planning Commission
www.sparkscity.com/boards/planning
City of Sparks Design Standards Manual
www.ci.sparks.nv.us/departments/com_
development/dsm.html
Internet:
WASHOE COUNTY
www.co.washoe.nv.us
www.unce.unr.edu
Washoe County Water Resources
www.co.washoe.nv.us/water/
Washoe County Health Department
www.co.washoe.nv.us/health/
Washoe County Community Development
www.washoe.nv.us/comdev/
Washoe County Planning Commission
www.washoe.nv.us/comdev/boards_
commissions/pc/pc_index.htm
Washoe County Comprehensive Plan
www.co.washoe.nv.us/comdev/publications_
maps_products/comdevplan/comdevplan_
index.htm
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP)
http://ndep.nv.gov/
Environmental Protection,
NDEP, Nevada Recycling Program
http://ndep.nv.gov/recycl/recycle.htm
Nonpoint Source Pollution
NDEP, Bureau of Water Pollution Control
(NPDES permits and violations)
http://ndep.nv.gov/bwpc/bwpc01.htm
NDEP, Bureau of Water Quality Planning
http://ndep.nv.gov/bwqp/bwqp01.htm
5305 Mill St.
Reno, NV 89502
Tel: (775) 784-4848
FAX: (775) 784-4881
Adapted with permission of the
University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System. ©The
University of Connecticut.
Funding
provided by:
Nevada Division of
Management branch.
NEMO, Nevada
The University of Nevada, Reno is an
Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action
employer and does not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, religion,
sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability,
or sexual orientation in any program
or activity it conducts. The University
of Nevada employs only United States
citizens and aliens lawfully authorized
to work in the United States.
Stormwater Manager’s Resource Center
www.stormwatercenter.net/
Truckee Meadows Regional Stormwater
Quality Management
www.tmstormwater.com
Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA)
www.tmh2o.com
Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF)
www.tmwrf.com
Understanding the Clean Water Act
www.cleanwateract.org/index.cfm
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE)
www.unce.unr.edu
United States Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/
USEPA Clean Water Act
www.epa.gov/water/
USEPA Safe Drinking Water Act
www.epa.gov/safewater/
USEPA Polluted Runoff (Nonpoint Source Pollution)
www.epa.gov/owow/nps
USEPA Post Construction Storm Water Management in
New Development and Redevelopment
http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/
menuofbmps/post.cfm