Most of the pollution in our streams, creeks and lakes comes from where we live, work, shop, and travel. As storm water flows, it picks up bits of dirt, auto fluids, chemicals and grass clippings. Sometimes, people intentionally (and illegally) dump paint, used oil, leaves or other pollutants in storm drains.
This "non-point source" water pollution comes from yards, driveways, parking lots, rooftops, streets, even golf courses.
"Point source" pollution comes from a single source, such as a factory or a sanitary sewage treatment facility discharging into a stream, or from a spill such as a tanker truck accident where fuel or other contaminants flow into the storm drain system.
