Non-Point Pollution

Increasing regulatory control over industrial and municipal activities has been very effective in reducing the amount of pollutants discharged to receiving waters. Discharges from industrial and municipal sources are called point discharges and they lend themselves well to the regulatory approach. Federal and state laws requiring permits and enforcing strict discharge limits have resulted in limiting the amount of pollutants from these sources to the point that they are no longer the major source of pollution in Puget Sound.

Well then, who or what is the major source of pollution in Puget Sound if it's not industry with all of its chemicals or municipalities with their sewage treatment plants? It's hard to believe but the answer is it's you and I!

The type of pollution caused by people is much more difficult to control than the point source pollution that was previously discussed. Every day, each of us contribute in small ways to non-point pollution. Non-point pollution is the result of rainwater suspending and carrying the many different types of pollutants that settle on roofs, yards, roadways and other surfaces into receiving streams and Puget Sound. These pollutants come from many sources including the burning of fuels, leaking automobiles, runoff from roads, improper disposal of toxic materials, pesticides, fertilizer, animal waste, runoff from improperly functioning septic systems and many others. Non-point pollution is much more difficult to control because the sources are so diffuse and individual contributions of pollutants are small. Often there is no single identifiable source for the problem so permits and enforcement are not the best answer.

So how do we reduce non-point pollution?

Since we all contribute directly or indirectly to the non-point pollution problem, we all need to help in the battle against it. Burning less fuel, fixing leaking automobiles, making sure that septic systems are properly maintained, and disposing of toxic chemicals properly are a few of the ways individual citizens can help to reduce non-point pollution. Reducing non-point pollution requires action by local government as well as local individuals. Kitsap County's Surface and Stormwater Management Program seeks to address the difficult task of non-point pollution control through the implementation of a comprehensive coordinated multi-agency approach. Each of the agencies involved in the program specializes in flood control or water quality related activities funded by Surface and Stormwater Management Program.

What can you do?

Check Tips for Controlling Non-Point Source Pollution

Kitsap County Public Works
Surface and Stormwater Management Program
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us