What is Runoff Pollution

What is runoff pollution?

Runoff pollution is nonpoint source of pollution in our environment.  It basically is water from rain, polluted by cigarette butts, used oil, paint, fertilizers and pesticides, dirt and dust, trash, automotive fluids, rubber and metal deposits from tire wear, antifreeze and engine oil that has dropped onto the pavement, pesticides and fertilizers, and discarded cups, plastic bags, lawn and garden clippings and pet waste. Rainwater or melting snow washes off roads, bridges, parking lots, rooftops, and other impermeable surfaces and more prone to pollutants of surroundings .

It directly flows into rivers and lakes. It is one of the main reasons for pollution of water bodies harming fish and aquatic habitats. It is totally different from Sanitary Sewer because it is not treated and filtered in wastewater treatment plant but goes directly into lakes, rivers and the ocean.

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Reasons for Runoff Pollution:


There are many natural and artificial reasons of this kind of pollution. Among natural reasons Atmospheric deposition and hydro modification are main sources.

Natural erosion plays a vital role in causing runoff pollution but this process is a slow and gradual process while manmade causes are rapid and far more harmful.  Natural erosion cause only soil sediment not metal and chemical particle sediment.
Deforestation leaves soil exposed and unprotected to be quickly washed away in the rain.
Heavy metal particles and pesticides along with soil are also transported by wind and water and deposited in beds of river. These particles cause harmful chemical balance of aquatic life by degrading the water quality.  These agents are main contributors to runoff pollution. Runoff pollution reduces amount of oxygen into water. Again these heavy metal particles come from natural as well as human made situations. Their natural source is mineral rocks, salt, san and vegetation etc while they also come from vehicles exhaust, paint and rust. Metal particles are far more harmful than soil particles. They intoxicate the the aquatic life and potentially endanger aquatic life


Effects of Runoff Pollution


Effects of Runoff pollution are very harmful and not easily assessable.

Runoff pollution produces sediment because soil particles are eroded from the land surface and transported to water bodies. Soil particles settle out of the water in a lake, river and prevents sunlight from reaching aquatic plants and animals.
Runoff pollution makes river and ocean water unsafe for humans and wildlife as well.  In some area, it becomes so serious that beaches have to be closed. The most harmful effect is contamination of drinking water. Runoff pollution directly goes into rivers, which are main sources of drinking water.
Fish stocks are also affected, many fishes die due to contamination of water bodies. It harms aquatic life by disturbing photosynthesis, respiration, growth, and reproduction.
Chemicals such as phosphates become more harmful for aquatic wildlife when it is added to dirt and oil particles. They cause algae production. Algae cause eutrophication of water bodies and reduce oxygen mixed in water while decaying process.

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Measure to be taken to control Runoff Pollution


Increasing awareness in common people.
Good maintenance of vehicles so that oil and engine fluids are not poured on roads and pavements and engine leaks is also repaired immediately.
Using approved motor oil.
Keeping weather forecast for rain in mind so that chemicals or fertilizer do not wash away with the rain.