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.
Search Pollution Prevention Resources
Adapted from the Pollution Assessment and Prevention Theme page,
http://www.usawaterquality.org/themes/pollution/default.html
|