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WHAT POLLUTANTS COME FROM NONPOINT SOURCES? Pollutants that are picked up and carried to receiving waters by stormwater runoff include: Sediment  soil eroded from construction sites, dirt roads, farms, and other cleared areas; Oil, grease, heavy metals, and other toxic chemicals that collect on road surfaces, parking lots, and other un-vegetated areas; Excess fertilizers (nutrients used to promote lawn, garden, or crop growth) from landscaping, gardens, and farms; Excess pesticides (chemicals used to kill weeds and bugs that harm lawns, gardens, and crops) from landscaping, gardens, and farms; and Bacteria and nutrients from animal waste, faulty septic systems, and sewage discharge from boats. HOW DOES THIS POLLUTION OCCUR? The types of NPS pollutants generated and the pathways they follow to pollute our waters usually depend upon their source. On-site Sewage Disposal Systems (or septic systems) pollute surface and ground waters when they do not function properly. If septic systems are located in soils that cannot filter waste water, or if the septic system is improperly designed or sited, then NPS pollution by nutrients and pathogens (bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms) will occur. Septic systems will also malfunction if they are not well maintained or if hazardous chemicals are discarded down drains or toilet bowls. Rain that falls on hard, impervious surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, collects in puddles and runs across the land surface (sometimes very rapidly), becoming Stormwater Runoff. Stormwater is a major force behind Soil Erosion in urban and developing areas. Whenever trees, bushes, grasses, and other ground covers are removed, the soil is exposed to the forces of rain and runoff. Soil particles are dislodged by raindrops and picked up by swiftly moving stormwater. The soil is then deposited onto roads, downstream property, guts, ponds, beaches, and coastal waters. This deposition is called Sedimentation. As stormwater flows across impervious surfaces, it also picks up oil, trash, street dirt, and other materials that are then deposited into our coastal waters. Agriculture can also contribute pollutants to our coastal waters. Livestock farming can result in NPS pollution through the use of inadequate waste management systems, overgrazing of pasture lands (which causes erosion and desertification), and allowing animals to congregate in guts and ponds (which directly pollutes the water and also causes gut bank erosion and sedimentation). Over-application of manure, fertilizers, and pesticides or improper application timing (applying right before or during rainfall) can also cause NPS pollution. Household and Automotive Care can also generate NPS pollutants. Oil, grease, gasoline, paints, and other household chemicals that are carelessly dumped on the ground, streets or in guts are washed into our coastal waters every time it rains. Recreational Boating generates NPS pollution primarily from the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage, overboard disposal of waste and garbage, and release of chemicals, paint chips, and other materials while fueling, cleaning, and performing maintenance. HOW DO THESE POLLUTANTS AFFECT OUR WATERS? NPS pollutants can have many harmful effects on our waters. Sediments smother coral reefs and valuable fish spawning areas, block sunlight that aquatic plants and corals need to grow, and reduce visibility in the water for both fish and humans. Nutrients from fertilizer and manure runoff and from leaking septic systems stimulate algae growth in surface waters (salt ponds and coastal waters). This algae clouds the water and blocks sunlight from reaching aquatic plants. Later, when the algae die and decompose, they use up the oxygen that is needed by fish, plants, and other organisms to live. Bacteria and Other Pathogens from failing septic systems, boat discharges, and manure runoff can pose direct threats to human health. Many diseases, such as typhoid fever, gastrointestinal infections, and infectious hepatitis can be linked to sewage contamination of water. When coastal waters are contaminated by these pollutants, they become unfit for swimming, fishing, and other water contact sports. Failing septic systems can also contaminate ground water. Oil, Grease, Heavy Metals, and Other Toxic Chemicals found in urban stormwater runoff are toxic to aquatic plants and animals, causing cancer, mutations, reproductive problems, or even death. Contamination of coastal waters by these pollutants also renders these areas unfit for water contact sports and for fishing. Pesticide runoff can introduce toxic chemicals into salt ponds, coastal waters, and ground water. Many pesticides are toxic and can kill fish and other aquatic organisms, as well as waterfowl. Pesticides used to kill weeds (herbicides) can also kill valuable or desirable plants (both terrestrial and aquatic). Some pesticides accumulate in the fatty tissues of fish and animals. These chemicals are then concentrated in the food chain and can severely affect reproduction capability and cause mutations or cancers in fish and waterfowl. WHAT YOU CAN DO Reduce or prevent soil erosion on your property by minimizing clearing of vegetation or by planting native vegetation as ground covers or ornamentals. Stabilize erosion-prone areas (such as steep, unstable slopes). Maintain your septic system by pumping the tank at least once every three years. Do not dump hazardous chemicals down the drain. Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil grease, and anti-freeze (do not wash them into the street or gut). Dispose of used oil, anti-freeze, paints, and other household items properly (do not dump on ground or down drain). Minimize manure, fertilizer, and pesticide applications and time them according to when plants need these chemicals the most. Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to label directions. Dispose of pesticide containers and rinse water properly. Keep litter, pet wastes, and debris off streets and out of guts. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: UVI Cooperative Extension Service http://rps.uvi.edu/CES/ St. Thomas St. Croix #2 John Brewers Bay RR#02, Box 10,000 St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990 Kingshill, VI 00850 (340) 693-1080 (340) 692-4080 Department of Planning and Natural Resources Coastal Zone Management Program; Division of Environmental Protection; Division o f Fish & W ildlife St. Thomas St. Croix Cyril E. King Airport 1118 Water Gut Homes 2nd Floor Building 111, Apt. 14A St. Thomas, VI 00802 Christiansted, VI 00820-3065 (340) 774-3320 (340) 773-0565 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 5030 Anchor Way, Suite #2, Gallows Bay Christiansted, VI 00820-4692 (340) 692-9662 UVI Marine Advisory Service http://rps.uvi.edu/VIMAS/ St. Thomas St. Croix #2 John Brewers Bay RR#02, Box 10,000 St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990 Kingshill, VI 00850 (340) 693-1392 (340) 778-1112 Printed on Recycled Paper Issued by the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, Kwame Garcia, State Director, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on non-discrimination regarding race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, and gender preference. Cooperative Extension Service University of the Virgin Islands #2 John Brewers Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990 (340) 693-1080 NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION IN THE USVI WHAT IS NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION? Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is different from pollution that comes from an industry or sewage treatment plant because it does not come out of a pipe. It comes from many different, widespread sources. NPS pollution results from rain water moving over and through the ground, picking up and carrying away man-made pollutants. These pollutants are then deposited into guts, ponds, beaches, coastal waters and ground water. The exact origin of nonpoint pollutants is often difficult to trace, making it difficult to monitor and correct. NPS pollution is also cumulative. Pollutants resulting from many different actions taken by many different people, businesses, or animals and occurring over a wide area accumulate in stormwater. The extent of NPS pollution can vary from place to place and from year to year, depending on topography, geology, and weather.