Pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency divides pollution into two major categories: point source and nonpoint source.

Point Source Pollution

Point source pollution emanates from one specific place, or point. The most common origins of this type of pollution are pipes from industrial plants or factories, storm sewers on city roads and large feedlots or animal waste lagoons with a specific area of discharge.

Owners of factories, industries and farms with possible sources of point source pollution must register their disposal measures through a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit obtained from the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The disposal is regulated by federal and state law and is also frequently and carefully monitored. Point source pollution does not seem to be a problem in North Carolina waters.

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Any source of pollution that doesn't require a permit is nonpoint source pollution. Automobile exhaust, toxic chemicals, oil, herbicides and insecticides are all examples of nonpoint source pollution. Unlike point source pollution, nonpoint source pollution is not regulated.

The following are nonpoint source pollutants:

• Fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides
  
• Oil, grease and toxic chemicals from urban runoff
  
• Sediment from improperly maintained construction sites or from soil erosion
  
• Salt from roads or irrigation ditches
  
• Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet waste and faulty septic systems
  
• Exhaust from an idling car engine

Source: US EPA