Water pollution is caused when contaminants wash into streams, lakes, wetlands or infiltrate into groundwater. Water running off paved surfaces in urban areas often carry oil, heavy metals, pet waste, and toxic chemicals from industrial and residential areas into stormdrains, and eventually, water ways. Agricultural operations often apply fertilizers, pesticides, and animal wastes, the excess of may eventually leach into groundwater or enter waterways through irrigation return flows and surface runoff. These sources of "nonpoint" pollution are considered the primary source of water quality problems nation wide.
The Water Quality
Pollution Assessment and Prevention (WQPAAP) Theme Team 
, awarded
a National Facilitation grant in 2001, is a network of Extension
professionals and other educators who promote self-assessments,
voluntary actions and monitoring by private land-use managers and
residents to protect and restore water quality.
This area of the CSREES National Water Quality Program will eventually introduce content that shows how Pollution Assessment and Prevention issues are being addressed across the nation.
More information on how Pollution Assessment
and Prevention issues are being addressed throughout the country
is available from the
Water
Quality Pollution Assessment and Prevention (WQPAAP) Theme Team and
these CSREES Regional Water Quality Programs (these external
links will open in a new window) :
