Nutrient and pollution sources not discharged from a single point, e.g. runoff from agricultural fields, feedlots or urban streets.

Pollutant occurring from widespread or diffuse sources with no definite point of entry. The source is not from a readily discernible point such as a discharge pipe.

Large land area such as a crop field or an urban area that discharges pollutants into surface and underground water over a large area; any pollution with a vague, diffuse point of origin is referred to as "nonpoint-source pollution."

entry of a pollutant into a water body from widespread or diffuse sources with no definite point of entry. The source is not a readily discernible point like a discharge pipe.

A contributing factor to water pollution that cannot be traced to a specific spot; like agricultural fertilizer runoff, sediment from construction.

A pollution source that is diffuse, such as urban runoff.

Pollution that originates from precipitation or irrigation flowing through the soil, carrying pollutants to surface water or groundwater. NPS pollution is a major contributor to declining water quality in Montana.

A diffuse source of pollution that cannot be attributed to a clearly identifiable, specific physical location or a defined discharge channel. This includes the nutrients that runoff the ground from any land use - croplands, feedlots, lawns, parking lots, streets, forests, etc. - and enter waterways. It also includes nutrients that enter through air pollution, through the groundwater, or from septic systems.

an activity that takes place over a broad area and results in the release of pollutants from many different locations

a source of natural or man-made chemicals delivered to a stream; the source is distributed over an area, and may include runoff from fields, groundwater discharge, and urban runoff.

a source of water pollution which is not readily identifiable; for example, runoff from farms or dumping from boats.

Pollution that originates from diffuse sources over a relatively large area. Nonpoint sources can be divided into source activities related to either land or water use including failing septic tanks, improper animal-keeping practices, forest practices, and urban and rural runoff.

Refers to pollution that enters estuaries from many places, such as when rainwater washes over parking lots, lawns, or farms and brings pollutants from all these sources into the estuary.

A source of surface water pollution that is diffuse and intermittent and related to land surface disturbing activities such as mining, grazing, crop production, or forest practices. Nonpoint sources of pollution are generally geographic areas yielding pollutants to surface waters in contrast to point sources that have identifiable points of entrance to surface waters (Idaho Water Quality Bureau 1989).

Compare? Any source of pollution not associated with a distinct discharge point. Includes sources such as rainwater, runoff from agricultural lands, industrial sites, parking lots, and timber operations, as well as escaping gases from pipes and fittings.

Polluted runoff - nutrients and pollution sources not discharged from a single point: e.g. runoff from agricultural fields or feedlots.

a land management activity contributes to rainfall runoff moving over and through the ground, carrying natural and manmade pollutants into waterways, which adversely affects or threatens the quality of water.

A pollution source that cannot be defined as originating from discrete points such as pipe discharge. Areas of fertilizer and pesticide applications, atmospheric deposition, manure, and natural inputs from plants and trees are types of nonpoint source pollution.

Diffuse pollution sources (i.e., without a single point of origin or not introduced into a receiving stream from a specific outlet).

Diffuse source of contamination. Includes runoff from lawns, roads, parking lots, driveways, farms, etc.

A diffuse source of water pollution that does not discharge through a pipe.

Scattered, not-easily identified sources of discharge/contamination.

A runoff or discharge from a field or similar source. A point source refers to a discharge that comes out the end of a pipe or other clearly identifiable conveyance. Back to the Top

large or dispersed land areas such as cropfields, streets, and lawns that discharge pollutants into the environment over a large area. Compare with point source.

Source of water pollution that originates from a broad area, such as agricultural chemicals, applied to fields, or acid rain.

Pollution sources which are diffuse and do not have a single point of origin or are not introduced into a receiving stream from a specific outlet.