Preventing Nonpoint Preventing Nonpoint Source PollutionSource Pollution

In Jefferson County In Jefferson County MunicipalitiesMunicipalities

What is Nonpoint Source Pollution?What is Nonpoint Source Pollution?

Water pollution that comes from a Water pollution that comes from a variety of sources (i.e. fertilizers, soil variety of sources (i.e. fertilizers, soil erosion, oil, abandoned mine erosion, oil, abandoned mine drainage)drainage)

It occurs when rain or snow melt It occurs when rain or snow melt travels across the land or through travels across the land or through the ground and picks up pollutants, the ground and picks up pollutants, eventually depositing them in eventually depositing them in streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Diagram taken from: http://www.magazine.noaa.gov/stories/mag112.htm

Examples of NPS Pollution in Examples of NPS Pollution in Jefferson County StreamsJefferson County Streams

Excess soil from construction and Excess soil from construction and agricultureagriculture

Oil, antifreeze, gasOil, antifreeze, gas Fertilizers and pesticidesFertilizers and pesticides Bacteria and nutrientsBacteria and nutrients Acid rainAcid rain Abandoned mine drainageAbandoned mine drainage Disposing of waste in storm drainsDisposing of waste in storm drains

How can township employees How can township employees reduce NPS pollution?reduce NPS pollution?

Warsaw Township Dirt and Gravel Road Project: Brocious Road

Before: Stream flowed onto road surface.

After: Water collected and piped under road, ditch lined with rock.

Watch for Proper Erosion & Watch for Proper Erosion & Sedimentation ControlsSedimentation Controls

At logging sites.At logging sites. At construction sites greater than At construction sites greater than

one acre.one acre. If you notice that proper controls are If you notice that proper controls are

not in place at these sites, contact not in place at these sites, contact the Jefferson Conservation District for the Jefferson Conservation District for assistance in correcting the problem.assistance in correcting the problem.

Participate in Dirt & Gravel Road Participate in Dirt & Gravel Road ProgramProgram

All townships with dirt roads are eligible All townships with dirt roads are eligible to participate.to participate.

In order to be eligible for grant In order to be eligible for grant assistance, at least one township assistance, at least one township employee has to take the 2-day ESM employee has to take the 2-day ESM training, once every 5 years.training, once every 5 years.

Registration for training is free to Registration for training is free to municipalities.municipalities.

Applications for grant money are in the Applications for grant money are in the ESM manual provided at the training.ESM manual provided at the training.

Encourage residents to prevent Encourage residents to prevent NPS pollution on their property by:NPS pollution on their property by:

Using fertilizers and pesticides sparingly Using fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and following directions.and following directions.

Not dumping anything near or directly Not dumping anything near or directly down storm drains.down storm drains.

Plant trees, shrubs, and groundcovers to Plant trees, shrubs, and groundcovers to prevent soil erosion. prevent soil erosion.

Dispose of used motor oil, antifreeze, Dispose of used motor oil, antifreeze, paints and other household chemicals paints and other household chemicals properly, not in storm sewers or drains. properly, not in storm sewers or drains. Contact the JCSWA for information: 849-Contact the JCSWA for information: 849-1521.1521.

If you would like more information If you would like more information regarding NPS pollution prevention, regarding NPS pollution prevention, please contact the Jefferson County please contact the Jefferson County

Conservation DistrictConservation District

814-849-7463814-849-7463or visit our website ator visit our website at

www.jeffersonconservation.comwww.jeffersonconservation.com

This presentation has been funded This presentation has been funded by the League of Women Voters of by the League of Women Voters of

Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund through a Section 319 Federal Clean through a Section 319 Federal Clean

Water Act grant from the US Water Act grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency

administered by Pennsylvania administered by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Department of Environmental

Protection.Protection.