Nonpoint source pollution arises from diffuse runoff rather than specific sources, contaminating water bodies with pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, oils, and microplastics. This runoff diminishes water quality for lakes, rivers, and groundwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies nonpoint source pollution as the primary water quality issue, significantly linked to nutrient and sediment runoff from agricultural activities. Despite the Clean Water Act's success in reducing direct pollution, it has not significantly addressed nonpoint source pollution, which poses serious public health risks such as blue baby syndrome and harmful algal blooms.
Large amounts of nitrates and nitrites, such as those found in fertilizer, can cause negative health effects such as blue baby syndrome,
Nonpoint source pollution can lead to significant threats to safe drinking water.
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