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Nonpoint Source Pollution
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Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution or polluted runoff is the nation’s largest source of water quality problems. Approximately 40% of our surveyed rivers, lakes, and estuaries are not clean enough for fishing or swimming due to NPS pollution.
The 3 major sources of nonpoint source water pollution in the mid-Atlantic region are:
Since 1990 Congress has provided over $1.5 billion to states to address these problems with over $120 million coming to the mid-Atlantic region. This funding has been used to develop and implement approved NPS Management Plans. These plans contain specific actions that are necessary to restore and protect water quality, habitat and natural resources concerns in individual watersheds. States identify impaired streams through a comprehensive water assessment process. Reports identifying impaired waters are provided to EPA under Section 303d of the Clean Water Act (CWA). States are also developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) through their watershed planning processes. These TMDLs determine the pollutant load reductions necessary for the water to meet CWA goals.
In addition, the mid-Atlantic office provides educational and outreach materials to help educate the public.
West Virginia Receives Over $2M to Support the State's NPS Program - On July 7, $2,127,600 was awarded to West Virginia to implement dozens of Non-Point Source (NPS) projects, which are vital to protect and improve water quality for drinking water, recreational activities and to preserve natural habitat. In West Virginia, the major causes of NPS pollution are related to stormwater runoff from farming, mining and timbering activities, as well as urban areas. The NPS Program is funded through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act and helps to promote clean and safe water in West Virginia by supporting water quality remediation and watershed restoration projects throughout the state. The projects supported by Section 319 funds will result in better farm management practices to reduce animal wastes from entering streams as well as a reduction of polluted runoff created during mining and timbering operations. In addition, these funds will support treatment of streams affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandon coal mines located mostly in the north central part of the state. Much of this work is accomplished through the efforts of local citizens working through private watershed associations. Many of the “green” jobs created through this effort are those of local stakeholders involved in the watershed clean up efforts, and equip these residents with the knowledge and tools on how to prevent NPS pollution to their local streams.
