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Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution

  • Equity and the Nonpoint Source Program

    The national nonpoint source (NPS) program recognizes the importance of environmental justice (EJ) and is exploring how the program may expand investments for pollution reduction projects that ensure fair and equitable access to improved water quality.

    The NPS Equity landing page includes more information on this effort, including program directives and resources from engaging with stakeholders.

  • New NPS Resources

    CWSRF Best Practices Guide for Financing Nonpoint Source Solutions (pdf): This guide is designed to help the 51 state-level CWSRF programs apply best practices to address the challenge of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. 

    Advancing Watershed Protection Through Land Conservation: A Guide for Land Trusts (pdf): This guide was released by the Healthy Watersheds Team to support watershed conservation. More information on the Healthy Watersheds Team and watershed protection can be found here.

  • Explore NPS Projects in a Watershed Near You!

    The Data Explorer is a useful tool for interested community members, local watershed partners, and other non-governmental stakeholders to understand the work being done in their watersheds to restore and protect water quality. The Data Explorer website can be found here  or navigate to your watershed using the widget below!

  • Frequently Used & Technical Resources

    • Green Streets Handbook
    • Saving the Rain: Green Stormwater Solutions for Congregations
    • Green Infrastructure in Parks Guide 
    • Monitoring and Evaluating Nonpoint Source Projects 
    • The National Nonpoint Source Program Report (PDF) 

Explore

Enter a location in the widget below to learn about nonpoint source projects in the U.S. 

Nonpoint Source 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 human-made pollutants, depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and ground waters.

Learn About NPS Pollution

Getting Started with the NPS Program!

Learn more about how states, Tribes, and territories are working to address NPS pollution.

Who to Talk to in Your Area

Learn about NPS

children and scientist in stream with dipnets
 
Getting Started
  • Basic Information
  • Resources for Students and Educators

Learn More

  • Types of NPS Pollution
  • Watershed Approach
  • Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring
  • Hazard Mitigation

Stay Up to Date

  • NPS Technical Exchange Webinars
  • NPSINFO Discussion Forum 

Action & Results

stream in forest
 
Take Action
  • About the Watershed Approach 
    • Planning resources
    • Technical resources
    • Funding resources
    • Capacity-building resources
  • Technical Guidance and Tools
  • Monitoring 
  • Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox

Results

  • Success Stories

CWA §319 Grants

santa fe river
 
Overview
  • National Nonpoint Source Program Highlights Report (pdf) (17.95 MB, 2016)
  • Program Highlights (Coming soon!)
  • Tribal Highlights
  • Equity and Environmental Justice
  • Contacts

For Grantees:

  • States 
  • Tribes
  • Territories
  • Grants Reporting and Tracking System (GRTS)
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on March 16, 2023
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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