Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
Point source pollution refers to the contamination of water, air, or soil that can be traced back to a specific and identifiable source, such as a factory or sewage treatment plant.
Non-point source pollution refers to pollution that comes from diffuse sources and cannot be traced back to a single origin point. It includes things like runoff from roads or parking lots.
Agricultural runoff is a type of non-point source pollution that occurs when fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals used in farming are washed away by rainwater into nearby bodies of water.
Industrial Discharge: Industrial discharge refers to the release of pollutants into the environment by factories or industrial facilities. It is a common example of point source pollution.