What is onpoint source pollution and what can I do about it?
Nonpoint source pollution occurs when runoff – as rainfall or snowmelt – moves over the land surface picking up man-made or natural pollutants and then depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands and even groundwater. The main nonpoint source contaminants are sediment, bacteria, nutrients, toxic chemicals and metals. Land uses such as agriculture, forestry, construction, residential areas and septic systems are all potential nonpoint sources. Pollution from nonpoint sources is found in each of Vermont’s 17 river basins.
