Student Resource Pages - Nonpoint Source Pollution
Some rainwater goes straight into our lakes, rivers, and streams, but a lot of it falls on roads and in yards first. We call that "runoff." Runoff brings icky stuff like oil from the streets and fertilizer from our yards with it when it flows into lakes, rivers, and streams. That’s "nonpoint source pollution."
This cool interactive storm water runoff animation helps you understand:
https://www.cleanwaterways.org/kids/stormwater_runoff.html
Examples of Nonpoint Source Pollution:
Dog Poop
Danger: The bacteria in dog poop can make fish sick when run-off carries it from the land into the water. Yucky!
Fertilizer
Danger: Fertilizer helps our lawns and flowers grow better, but when run-off washes fertilizer into the water plants there grow too fast and use up the oxygen fish need for breathing.
Motor Oil
Motor Oil
Danger: Motor oil in the water coats fish’s gills, causing them to suffocate since fish need their gills to breathe. Run-off carries motor oil from our streets and driveways into streams and rivers.
Pesticides
Danger: Chemicals used to kill insects are called "pesticides" and too
Pesticides
many pesticides in the water can kill other things besides bugs – like fish!
Herbicides
Scientists Seining for Fish Samples
Danger: We spray "herbicides", or weed killers, on plants when we don't want them to grow, but when run-off brings herbicides into the water it can kill the plants and animals that live there.