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Lower High Falls, Talladega Forest - Bill Wilson
Nonpoint Source Pollution Program

What is Nonpoint Source Pollution?

Nonpoint source pollution, also known as polluted runoff, occurs when rainfall flows over and through the land picking up contaminates such as sediment, nutrients, or bacteria. These pollutants are then carried by streams or storm sewers to our lakes, river, wetlands, coastal waters, and ground waters. Nonpoint source pollution is contrasted with point source pollution where discharges occur to a body of water at a single location, such as from industry or wastewater treatment plant discharge pipes. Nonpoint source pollution can result from everyday activities such as fertilizing a lawn, watering livestock in a stream, constructing roads, or even pet waste. Because it comes from so many different sources, it is difficult to regulate and no specific solution may solve the problem. In fact, nonpoint source is the greatest threat to our nation's water quality.

In 1987 the Clean Water Act (CWA) was amended to include Section 319(h) to address nonpoint source pollution. With this amendment, the establishment of annual CWA section 319(h) grant funding for designated state and tribal agencies to implement their approved nonpoint source management programs.

The Alabama Nonpoint Source Management Program uses a voluntary approach to address nonpoint source pollution. The program relies on best management practices, education and outreach, technology transfer, monitoring and assessments, and resource assistance using a balanced statewide and watershed-focused restoration approach. Local partnerships and citizen input are primary implementation components. CWA section 319(h) grants are available to fund targeted, on-the-ground, implementation practices to restore impaired waterbodies in our state.

More CWA Section 319 Grant Resources
CWA Section 319(h) Grant Application Information
Alabama Nonpoint Source Management Program
Draft - Alabama Nonpoint Source Management Program Update (Comments due 8/30/2019)
EPA Region 4 Nonpoint Source Programs and Success Stories
Alabama Nonpoint Source Management Program Annual Report

Alabama Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program Announcements
2024 NPS Conference Agenda
2024 NPS Conference Registration
2024 Alabama Nonpoint Source Conference Save the Date
2023 Alabama River Basin Conference
2020 Nonpoint Source Conference Information


Alabama NPS Management Program Contact Information
ADEM Nonpoint Source Unit
PO Box 301463
Montgomery, AL 36130-1463
334-260-4501
adem.nps.program@adem.alabama.gov