Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution

Explore NPS Projects in a Watershed Near You!

Winter 2024 updates to the public mapper include areas to view Tribal competitive grant project information and State Success Stories!

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!
New NPS Resources

Tribal Water and Natural Resources Conservation Guide (pdf) (22.71 MB, December 2024, 851-B-24-001) This guide aims to provide resources to Tribal environmental programs about federal assistance opportunities that can support Tribally led efforts to protect and restore waters, protect air quality, protect wildlife and habitat, prepare for climate change and natural hazards, steward lands, and support and engage Tribal communities. Learn more on the Tribal Water and Natural Resources Conservation Guide webpage.

A Compendium of Tools and Methods to Estimate Environmental Benefits for Nature-Based Solutions (pdf) (1.61 MB, November 2024, 832-R-24-005) This compendium identifies methods and tools readers can use to estimate environmental benefits in urban and agricultural settings for planning activities. Learn more on the Resources for Watershed Planning page.
Frequently Used & Technical Resources
- It's All Connected! Newly released info graphic highlighting impacts of dam removal.
- Clean Water SRF Best Practices Guide for Financing Nonpoint Source Solutions (pdf)
- Bioretention Design 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)

New NPS National Program Guidelines are now available.

The national NPS Program has released revised Guidelines to take effect FY25. For more information, click here.

Explore

Navigate directly to the NPS Project Explorer or 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