Point and Nonpoint Source Discharges

Point & NonPoint
Source Discharge

A point source discharge is a discharge that the source can be identified or that you can point to. This discharge is typically from an industrial facility or sewage treatment plant. A nonpoint source discharge is a discharge that the source is not easily identified, such as the discharge from a storm sewer or storm drain outfall. While you can point to the stormdrain outfall, the source of the water is from many places. As a rain storm occurs, the water runs over lawns, forests, paved parking areas, pastures, etc. picking up pollutants such as nutrients, oils and greases, and heavy metals. These pollutants can not be traced to an individual source but are a combination of sources.