Point and Non-point pollution

• 8.E.1 Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans.

• 8.E.1.4

• Conclude that the good health of humans requires: – Monitoring of the hydrosphere

Water quality standards

Methods of water treatment

Maintaining safe water quality

Stewardship

• 8.E.1.3 Predict the safety and potability of water supplies in North Carolina based on physical and biological factors, including:

• Temperature

• Dissolved oxygen

• pH

• Nitrates and phosphates

• Turbidity

• Bio-indicators

Desired Outcomes

• To learn about factors affecting a watershed.

• To begin conversation about how to protect watersheds (urban stewardship).

Water

Water Pollution

• What do you think of when you hear these words?

Watershed

• A region or area that may contain several rivers, streams, or lakes that ultimately drain into a particular watercourse or body of water.

Waterbody

• Receives runoff from a watershed

• Lake, river, stream, ocean, pond, or basin

Everyone lives in a watershed

• Drain rainfall and melting snow to the nearest waterbody that lies at the lowest point in the watershed

• Can be small or large

• Are mostly interconnected

• Eventually drain into bays, gulfs, or oceans

Water cycle

• Water is cycled continuously through our environment

• Evaporates, is cycled back through precipitation

Water Pollution

• 2 types– A. Point Source- flows from pipes or comes

from specific points• Industrial plant• Sewage treatment plant• Storm drains

• B. Non-point source pollution– Generally results from land runoff, drainage or

seepage, after a rain event• Fertilizers, pesticides• Oils, grease• Trash• All from yards, fields, and roads to the nearest

waterbody

Runoff• Can contain pollution that may be

damaging– Nutrients– Toxins– Bacteria– Soil– Can degrade our water quality

Water Quality Measures

• Temperature – lower temp = more dissolved oxygen = better quality for living things

• pH in the neutral range of 7 or near

• Nitrates – increase from waste; bad

• Bio-indicators – live in specific range of conditions – if present; good quality

Turbidity

• Creates a cloudy effect

• Plants don’t get enough sunlight

• Oxygen is depleted

Home activities that cause pollution

• Improper use and disposal of household chemicals, oils, cleaning solutions

• Excessive use of water

• Failure to maintain septic systems

• Abandoned wells

• Pet wastes

Best Management Practices

• Timber– Plant terrain heavily with vegetation– Cut timber selectively– Put temporary hay bales in place until

vegetation grows

BMP - Farm

• Berm – prevents soil from entering the waterbody

• Wetland – filters out sediment – natural filtration system

• Contour plowing

• Conservation tilling

• Vegetative filter strips

• Cover crops

• Use pesticides and fertilizers appropriately

• Rotate crops

BPM – driveways and highways

• Prevent oil leakage

• Use dropcloth when changing the oil in your car

• Recycle used oil

BMP – Cows and domestic animals

• Use manure container

• Don’t overapply manure to fields

• Increase nitrates

BMP – Lawns and golf courses

• Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly

• Don’t use a grass catcher on your lawn– Grass clipping decompose and make a

natural fertilizer

• Have soil tested – control pH

• Never dump grass into waterway

• Don’t fertilize if heavy rain is predicted

• Don’t mow grass too short

• Choose plants suited for your area

• Don’t dispose of clippings or leaves down storm drains

BMP - household

• Be a smart shopper– Buy biodegradable, recyclable products;

multipurpose products; non-aerosol sprays

– Reduce contaminants

– Use chemicals properly– Dispose of chemicals properly– Clean up after pets– Use less water– Maintain your septic tank properly

• Plant groundcover

• Don’t litter

Double Bubble

• Point non-Point

Clean Water Act