Non-point source Pollution
Non-Point Source Pollution
Non-point source pollution means there is no identifiable cause for pollution, rather it is a synergistic effect of agricultural and urban storm water run-off. Storm water run-off carries a variety of non-point source pollutants that flow into our lakes and rivers every day. Examples of non-point source pollutants include fertilizer runoff from lawns, oil drippings from cars, road salt, acids from the rain, pet waste, eroded soils and raw sewage from Combined Sewer Overflows systems. 
Pollution from specific industrial and municipal sources is not the biggest threat to water quality today. Since government regulation has reduced the impact of these sources over the last twenty years, it has become increasingly important to focus on runoff pollution from a diverse range of urban and rural activities.
When the Grand River ends its journey through lower Michigan and empties into Lake Michigan near Grand Haven, the water is so polluted a distinct line can be drawn between the brown water of the river and the blue water of the lake. Part of what causes this pollution problem is combined sewer overflow from residential houses along with other non-point source pollutants.
Small changes in our lifestyles, attitudes, and expectations can create a huge and positive impact on our ecosystem. Individually, citizens can make a difference by recycling their oil and by being careful when using and disposing of household chemicals.
The Clean Water Act
In 1972, the Clean Water Act was passed to help control point source pollution from municipalities and industries from flowing into the nation's bodies of water. In 1987, amendments were made to the Clean Water Act to help control non-point source pollution into our rivers. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency mandated that every state control the pollution flowing into its rivers.
