Define water pollution, point source, and nonpoint source pollution. Which of the two (point source or nonpoint source) is easier to identify? Which is easier to legislate? Which currently poses the greatest threat to fresh water?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The term pollution describes any matter or energy released into the environment, whether from human activity or from natural sources, that causes undesirable impacts on the health and well-being of humans or other organisms. Water pollution can be emitted from point sources–single locations such as a pipe from a factory–or can consist of nonpoint sources–multiple cumulative inputs over larger areas, such as farms, city streets, and residential neighborhoods. Point sources are easy to identify but sometimes difficult to regulate, especially if owners or supporters of industrial plants lobby politicians to pressure agencies not to enforce regulations. Nonpoint source pollution is difficult to pinpoint and presents a different type of societal challenge, requiring public education and the willingness of citizens to change certain behaviors. According to the EPA, it is nonpoint source pollution that poses the greatest threat to water quality in the United States. Many common activities give rise to nonpoint source water pollution, including applying fertilizers and pesticides to lawns, applying salt to roads in winter, and changing automobile oil.