IndexIntroductionPollutionPollution from point and non-point sourcesFactors that contribute to pollutionMethods to limit pollutionConclusionIntroductionThe water we have today is the only water we will ever have through processes such as We are decreasing pollution and causing problems for our future generations. Because of pollution we have let so many toxic things into our waters, such as sewage and wastewater, oil, and illegal landfills. We need to improve our wastewater treatment plants to be able to reduce nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus entering our waters. We must also try to reduce pollution by doing small things like washing our cars away from storm drains or vegetative plantings to help reduce contaminants that trap runoff entering our waterways. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayPollutionThe three main types of pollution are land pollution, air pollution, and water pollution. This essay focuses on water pollution. Water pollution occurs when harmful substances such as chemicals and contaminating microorganisms enter our rivers, lakes and oceans, causing a reduction in the quality of the water and making it toxic. Unlike eutrophication, pollution does not promote plant growth, but prevents and limits it. Water is very vulnerable to pollution because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid on earth. Substances from farms, cities and factories dissolve and mix easily in water, causing pollution. Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution Point source pollution occurs when pollution is discharged from a single identifiable source that is continuous with little variability over time. It can be easily monitored by measuring the discharge and concentrations of chemicals at a site at the source. Examples include wastewater discharged from manufacturers, oil refineries, chemical and petroleum product spills, and illegal dumping. Nonpoint source pollution occurs when inputs come from a variety of activities over a large tract of land. Inputs from non-point sources are often intermittent and linked to seasonal activities in agriculture such as planting and plowing agricultural land or to irregular events such as heavy rains or large constructions. Examples include agriculture and stormwater runoff or debris blown into waterways from the ground. Nonpoint source pollution is the leading cause of water pollution, but it is difficult to regulate because there is no single identifiable culprit. Factors Contributing to Pollution Contaminants that contribute to the pollution of rivers, lakes, and streams range from agriculture, sewage and sewage, to oil pollution and illegal landfills. The agricultural sector contributes significantly to pollution. Every time it rains on farmland, fertilizers, pesticides and animal waste are washed into waterways. With them they carry pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Another contaminant is sewage and sewage. Every day we contribute to wastewater, whether it is from sinks, showers or flushing toilets. Wastewater also includes stormwater runoff when rain carries pollutants such as oil, grease and chemicals down drains into our waterways. Over 80% of the world's wastewater in developed countries flows directly into ours.