What is the difference between point-source and nonpoint-source water pollution?

Question

Emilia Alcaraz · Accepted Answer

Point sources come from discrete pipes flowing into a river for example. Non- point are more diffuse sources that don't come from one single pipe or outlet.

Point sources are for example, water discharging from an industrial plant of some kind or a waste water treatment plant. Non-point sources include run-off from agricultural lands that may wash fertilizer or other chemicals into lakes or rivers - this may occur over thousands of square kilometres.

From an environmental perspective, it is usually easier to deal with point source emitters than non- point.

See pic.

From an environmental perspective, it is usually easier to deal with point source emitters than non- point.

See pic.

Emilia Alcaraz · Answer

undefined Point-source water pollution refers to contaminants that enter water bodies from a single, identifiable source, such as a pipe or a discharge outlet. Nonpoint-source water pollution, on the other hand, comes from diffuse sources and is not easily traced back to a specific origin point.