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Protect Groundwater and Surface Water
Contaminated water is difficult and costly to clean. Water pollution comes from two types of places called point sources and non-point sources.
“Point source” means that the pollution comes from a specific, identifiable place, such as a factory, dump, underground fuel tank, or animal feedlot.
"Non-point" water pollution comes from a wide area including stormwater runoff from fields or streets. The runoff flows directly into streams, rivers and lakes or enters the groundwater. This type of pollution is difficult to control and treat. The substances creating non-point water pollution may not be toxic in small amounts, but when they are added to the environment in large quantities, they add up to big problems. Fertilizers (nitrogen and phosphorus) are very common non-point sources of water contamination.
Groundwater supplies about 91% of drinking water in Dakota County. Groundwater becomes polluted when contaminants at the surface mix with rainwater and seep down through the soil and rock, into drinking water aquifers.
Surface water becomes contaminated when rainwater or melting snow carry soil particles, animal waste, septic system seepage, pesticides, fertilizer, or toxic materials into nearby water bodies. In addition to chemical pollution, soil erosion causes many problems in lakes and streams.
What can I do to protect water resources?
This page was last updated on: 10/18/2010
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