From Great Lakes Wiki
Non-point source pollution is now recognized as one of the biggest threats to the Great Lakes. As opposed to point source pollution which is directly caused by industry, in non-point source pollution every individual is a source. It is responsible for more pollution to the watersheds than heavy industry. Pollutants are carried into streams, rivers, ponds and lakes through storm water runoff. Every time it rains or there is a large snow melt, fertilizers, bacteria, pesticides, dirt, and oil are swept down the sewers and dumped into the waterways untreated into our streams and rivers.
Urban life with its many acres of pavement and rooftops play a major role in non-point source pollution. The impervious surfaces do not allow water to seep into the ground. This water finds its way to the rivers along with the many polluntants carried with. In heavy rainstorms, the increased volume causes water to have greater velocity as it is dumped into the river. Larger volumes at a faster pace, increases the power which erodeds the river banks, causing large amounts of sediment to fall into the river.
The Clean Water Act of 1977 played a major role in forcing states to address this at local levels. Recommedations were given to directly reduce polluting discharges into the waterways, establish wastewater treatment plants and how to manage the stormwater runoff. The goal was to restore waterways and wetlands, recognizing the values of national water supply to support the biodiversity of existing life in and out of the water.
Related Pages
Point source pollution
Related Links
Clean Water Act of 1977 http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/cwa/
Rouge Friends http://www.therougeorg.
http://www.michigan.gov/deq
