Activity Books Understanding Water Activity Book | Page 51

Agriculture activities that can add
to nonpoint source pollution are plowing,
bug control, plant food, irrigation and
raising livestock.
Construction
activities – land clearing and grading –
can add pollutants to the water system
unless care is taken to prevent runoff.
Forestry, which includes timber harvesting,
building roads, fire control and weed control
can add pollutants to streams and rivers.
Mining moves dirt and gravel. The
amount of minerals in an area can
change. Toxic materials can result from
mining methods. Care must be taken
when mining minerals from the ground.
Septic systems are a form of human
waste disposal that use land as a filter.
Septic systems need to be managed
and maintained to prevent adding pollution
to our water system.
Urban storm runoff can include oil,
animal waste, gas, antifreeze, fertilizers,
pesticides, paints, etc. Lawns, gardens and
landscaping are major sources of pollution.
Rubber from our tires is left on roads every time
we drive. Spilled household cleaners, paints, car fluids,
etc., or their containers, can add to pollution.
But since we know pollution can happen,
we can do things to help. We can learn which practices
prevent pollution of our water resources.
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