Pollution that arises from an ill-defined and diffuse source such as runoff from cultivated fields, agricultural lands, urban areas, or forests and wildlands.

Pollution that cannot be traced to one specific location. It may include rainwater runoff or fertilizer from fields.

Pollution discharged over a wide land area, not from one specific location. These are forms of diffuse pollution caused by sediment, nutrients, organic and toxic substances originating from land use activities which are carried to lakes and streams by surface runoff. Nonpoint source pollution is contamination that occurs when rainwater, snowmelt, or irrigation washes off plowed fields, city streets, or suburban backyards. As this runoff moves across the land surface, it picks up soil particles and pollutants, such as nutrients and pesticides.

a diffuse source of pollution. May originate from atmospheric deposition as well as surface and sub-surface runoff.

(NPS) refers to water pollution that originates from widespread, diffuse sources. It is caused by contaminants carried in water runoff from the land or through the ground, and reduces the quality of lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, estuaries, and groundwater. nutrient is any substance that stimulates the growth of organisms in the water column. In excessive amounts, nutrients can result in excessive growth of phytoplankton and other aquatic vegetation that depletes oxygen in water bodies and may encourage growth of pathogenic microorganisms, both of which can threaten human and wildlife health.

Pollution that , unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and manmade pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water. Loadings of pollutants from NPS enter waterbodies via sheet flow, rather than through a pipe, ditch or other conveyance.

Pollution whose source is not specific in location. The sources of the discharge are dispersed, not well defined, or constant. Rain storms and snowmelt often make this type of pollution worse. Examples include sediments from logging activities and runoff from agricultural chemicals and cow dung.

pollution emanating from disparate, hard to identify sources

pollution sources that are diffuse, without a single identifiable point of origin, including runoff from agriculture, forestry, and construction sites.

Pollution that enters water from dispersed and uncontrolled sources (such as surface runoff) rather than through pipes. Nonpoint sources (for example, stormwater runoff from agricultural or forest operations, on-site sewage disposal systems, and discharge from boats) may contribute pathogens, suspended solids, and toxicants. The cumulative effects of nonpoint source pollution can be significant.

Pollution whose sources cannot be traced to a single point and reach water bodies in runoff.

Forms of pollution caused by sediment, organic and inorganic chemicals, and biological, radiological, and other toxic substances originating from land use activities, which are carried to lakes and streams by surface runoff.  Nonpoint source pollution occurs when the rate of materials entering these waterbodies exceeds natural levels.

The term "nonpoint source" refers to water pollution that results from a variety of human land use practices. As a result, nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is controllable by implementing land management practices that protect water quality as well as economic, social and political interests. These practices often are referred to as best management practices (BMPs).

Pollution of surface or groundwater supplies originating from land use activities and/or the atmosphere, having no well-defined point of entry.

Pollution which is (1) materials such as chemicals, nutrients, and soil carried into water bodies by precipitation, seepage, percolation, and runoff; (2) not traceable to any discrete or identifiable point source; and (3) controllable through the implementation of BMPs.

Pollution that arises from diffuse sources such as agricultural runoff, urban area impervious surface runoff and vehicle emissions.

Pollution which may come from many different sources or a single source but that cannot be traced back to any specific point of origin, for example a pipe. An example of nonpoint source pollution would be pesticide runoff into creeks and streams; the pesticide may be known to come from agricultural operations but it may not be traced to a specific farm and a specific point of discharge from that farm or any farm.

pollution from dispersed sources, such as farm fields or roads (compared with a point source such as a smokestack or sewer pipe).

Pollution that does not come from a single, identifiable source. Includes materials that wash from roofs, streets, yards, driveways, sidewalks and other land areas. Collectively, this is the largest source of stormwater pollution.

Pollution coming from a wide, non-specific source such as runoff from cities, farms, or forest land.

pollution which has no single discharge point or origin. Pollutants are usually comprised of sediment, organic compounds, toxic metals and various pathogens. Sources of nonpoint source pollution typically include urban and agricultural runoff and effluent from septic systems and landfills.

Widespread overland runoff containing pollutants. The contamination does not originate from one specific location but is pollution discharged over a broad land area. Water pollution that cannot be traced to a specific source.

(NPS) pollution that cannot be traced to a single point (e.g., outlet or pipe) because it comes from many individual sources or a widespread area (typically, urban, rural, and agricultural runoff).

Pollution that does not originate from a specific identifiable source such as a sewage discharge pipe. Types of nonpoint pollution include storm-water runoff from roads, parking lots, and backyards, as well as wet and dry atmospheric deposition. Precipitation can carry pollutants from the air to the ground and then gather more pollutants as the water runs off pavement and land to the nearest waterway.

Pollution that cannot be traced to a specific point, because it comes from many individuals.

pollution that enters waterways from a broad land surface area as a result of land management; such as sediment from logging deposited in stream channels.

Occurs when rainfall or snowmelt runoff moves across the ground, carrying pollutants into streams, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater. For example, soil can become a pollutant when water runoff moves across a road and carries large amounts of soil into a waterbody.

Pollution that does not originate from a clear or discrete source.

(NPS): pollution that originates from many diffuse sources and usually is not regulated, such as runoff from streets that carries with it oil, feces and sediment.

pollution which comes from diffuse sources such as urban and agricultural runoff

Pollution that is carried in run-off water from widely dispersed land areas, such as fields, forests or urban areas.

pollutants that are not discharged or emitted from a specific "point" source, such as a pipe or smokestack. Nonpoint-source water pollutants are often carried from dispersed, diverse sources into water channels by rain-induced runoff.

This type of pollution does not have a specific source (contrary to point source pollution), and is very difficult to regulate. Examples of nps include contaminated runoff and soil erosion.

Pollution that enters water from dispersed and uncontrolled sources (such as surface runoff) rather than through pipes. Nonpoint sources (e.g., forest practices, agricultural practices, on-site sewage disposal, and recreational boats) may contribute pathogens, suspended solids, and toxicants. While individual sources may seem insignificant, the cumulative effects of nonpoint source pollution can be significant.

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, is pollution that comes from many diffuse sources. The opposite is Point Source pollution, like what would come from industrial and sewage treatment plants. Think of it just like the name, if you can point to the source (this pipe, or that lot of land) it's a Point Source, if you can't it must be NPS pollution. When water runs along the ground it picks up pollutants like dirt, chemicals, and trash, then dumps them into waterbodies or soaks them into the ground water. Imagine the path taken by a drop of rain from the time it hits the ground to when it reaches a river. Essentially, anything we put on the ground will eventually get into our waters. NPS pollution is widespread because it can occur anytime and anywhere. Septic systems, runoff from streets and yards, construction, recreational boating, agriculture, forestry, grazing, altered stream channels, and degraded habitats are all potential sources of NPS pollution. Careless handling of wastes at home also contributes to NPS pollution.

pollution from numerous widespread locations or sources that have no well-defined points of origin. May originate from landuse activities and/or from the atmosphere. Examples include leaching of excess fertilizer from fields and acid rain.

pollution that enters the natural environment through runoff with no discrete point discharge.

indirect or scattered sources of pollution that enter a water system such as drainage or runoff from agricultural fields, airborne pollution from cropdusting, runoff from urban areas (construction sites, etc.)

Polluted runoff-nutrients and pollution sources not discharged from a single point: e.g., runoff from agricultural lands, feedlots, construction zones.

pollution that cannot be traced to a single source ( e.g., stormwater runoff); comes from many diffuse sources, including rainfall and snowmelt moving over and through the ground, and also atmospheric deposition

NPS pollution is created by the flushing of pollutants from landscape by rainfall and the resulting stormwater runoff, or by the leaching of pollutants through the soils into the ground water.

water pollution that results from a variety of human land uses, such as agriculture, surface mines, forestry activities, home wastewater systems and construction sites, among others. These pollution sources cannot be controlled at a single location and can only be curbed by implementing land management practices at multiple levels.

Pollution that cannot be traced to a specific source. Often involves water washing pollution from a large section of land into a water body.

nutrients or toxic substances that enter water from dispersed and uncontrolled sites rather than through pipes. Sources of nonpoint source pollution include runoff from agricultural practices, urban and forest land, and on-site sewage disposal.

Sources of water pollution not associated with a distinct discharge source; includes rainwater, erosion, runoff from roads, farms, and parking lots, and seepage from soil-based wastewater disposal systems.

Pollution arising from an ill-defined and diffuse source, such as runoff from cultivated fields, grazing land, or urban areas.

Water pollution that does not result from a discharge at a specific, single location (such as a single pipe) but generally results from land runoff, precipitation, atmospheric deposition, or percolation and normally is associated with agricultural, silvicultural, and urban runoff, runoff from construction activities, etc. Such pollution results in the human-made or human-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological, radiological integrity of water. ( FEMAT, IX-23)

Originating from diffuse areas (land surface or atmosphere) having no well-defined source.

Water pollution caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground which carries pollutants. A nonpoint source is any source of water pollution that does not meet the legal definition of point source in section 502(14) of the Clean Water Act.

pollution that cannot be traced to a particular source or point of entry

diffuse discharges of pollutants carried to a waterbody by overland flow of rain and runoff water, such as stormwater runoff from streets and parking lots.

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) does not come from a single source like point source pollution. It comes from many unidentifiable sources with no specific solution to rectify the problem, making it difficult to regulate. An example of NPS pollution would be urban runnoff of items like oil, fertilizers, and lawn chemicals.