Know Your Watershed

     Did you know…most people are aware that many of the pollutants that are in our waters can be traced to specific sources such as those piped into our streams from an industrial facility or from a sewage treatment plant. This type of discharge, coming from an identifiable source, is referred to as point-source pollution. Facilities engaging in activities producing point-source pollution are required to have a State Operating Permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Water Protection Program that sets limits on the pollutants allowed to be discharged into a waterway.

    It is much more difficult to control nonpoint-source pollution because nonpoint-source pollution enters our streams from a number of sources that are more difficult to identify. These nonpoint-source pollutants cause serious stream degradation, and it is essential for the health of our water resources that we work to reduce them. Nonpoint-source contaminants enter our waterways with stormwater runoff which carries pollutants such as sediment from agricultural activities and construction sites; agricultural, lawn and golf course fertilizers and pesticides; livestock and pet wastes; cleaning products; petroleum products from parking lots and streets, etc.

    We can each take action to reduce nonpoint source pollution if we are knowledgeable about the contributing factors and change our behaviors to eliminate or minimize our individual contribution to the degradation of our vital water resource. You can find more information about ways to promote healthy waters in our streams, rivers and lakes at www.southgrandwatershed.com

     Learn more about protecting water quality at www.southgrandwatershed.com