Non-point Evaluation Studies
Non-point evaluations study data are used by the state of Wisconsin which has recently implemented a federally mandated program that requires cities with populations greater than 10,000 to develop stormwater-management plans.
Non-point evaluation is the study of water-quality issues caused by runoff and contamination of the environment from sources spread widely across an area, not from a small number of identifiable locations. Impaired water quality is harmful to aquatic life, wildlife, and human water supplies.
Non-point sources include vehicle emissions, applications of pesticides and fertilizers around homes and in public areas, and stormwater runoff from urban areas such as parking lots, airports, golf courses, streets. A point source is a single location, such as a sewage-outflow pipe, factory waste-water outlet, or power generating station.
Non-point evaluation monitoring provides critical information to cooperators to help formulate watershed management plans, evaluate the effectiveness of these plans, and to make informed water resource decisions for Wisconsin.
Non-point evaluation monitoring also provides a unique, comprehensive data set of interest to the non-point research community at large. It is our intent to continuously evolve data collection and analysis techniques, plan for future projects, evolve data collection and analysis techniques, and maintain a positive relationship with cooperators.
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