Differentiate between point and nonpoint sources of water pollution

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: Water is a renewable resource, but unlike sunshine, it is one that can be significantly harmed by misuse. Water pollution (elevated levels of impurities in the environment caused by human activity) results when more waste is added than the receiving water can accommodate. Water can dissolve a wide range of substances, and it can transport bacteria, plants, fish, sediment, toxic chemicals, and trash of all kinds. Water pollution results when substances enter the water faster than they can be carried off, diluted, or decomposed.

Water pollutants have diverse sources. Some come from a point source. These enter a stream at a specific location, such as a wastewater discharge pipe. Others come from a nonpoint source. These come from a large diffuse area, as happens when organic matter or fertilizer washes from a field during a storm. Nonpoint sources usually pollute in greater quantities and are much harder to control. Agricultural lands are the dominant source of nonpoint pollution in most of the world, although atmospheric sources such as acid deposition derived from air pollution can also be important.