21 Lesson 1: Getting Smart about Pollution
Learning about the various kinds of pollution
is the first step in learning how to protect
the environment. On the Web site below
you will read about a kind of pollution called
NPS. NPS stands for Non Point Source pollution
and is a major concern because it damages water
supplies. There are many things that everyone
can do to reduce it. On the Web site below
you will learn what causes NPS and how it can
Link to explore: The Environmental
Protection Agency – Polluted Run Off:
- Start at the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Polluted
Run Off” Web site.
- Click on and the “What is NPS Pollution,” “What
You Can Do to Prevent NPS Pollution,” and “Do’s
and Don’ts Around the Home” links.
- Take notes as you read.
- When you are done reading, answer the questions
- Finally, using the information from the link,
make a NPS Fact Sheet that can be handed out
in class. Be sure to include practical
things that teens can do to reduce NPS pollution.
- What is NPS caused by and what does it do?
- What are four examples of pollutants that
are picked up and carried by rainwater and
- What are four areas of concern that you can
address to help prevent NPS?
- Why is it important not to pour unused chemicals
- What are three ways you can get involved
in community work to help reduce NPS?
- NPS is caused by rainfall or snowmelt water
moving over and through the ground. As the
water moves, it picks up and carries away natural
and human-made pollutants, depositing them
into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters,
and even underground sources of drinking water.
- Examples of pollutants that are picked up
and carried by rainwater and snowmelt include:
- Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides
from agricultural lands and residential areas.
- Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban
runoff and energy production.
- Sediment from improperly managed construction
sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding
- Salt from irrigation practices and acid
drainage from abandoned mines.
- Bacteria and nutrients from livestock,
pet wastes, and faulty septic systems.
- The four areas of concern that can be addressed
if you want to help prevent NPS are:
- Urban storm water run-off
- Pouring chemicals down the drain may disrupt
your septic system or else contaminate materials
in water treatment plants.
- Some ways to get involved in community work
to reduce NPS include:
- Participate in clean-up activities in your
- Write or call your elected representatives
to inform them about your concerns and encourage
legislation to protect water resources.
- Get involved in local planning and zoning
- Encourage your local officials to develop
erosion and sediment control ordinances.
- Promote environmental education. Help educate
people in your community about ways in which
they can help protect water quality.
Additional Resources for
Below are some additional resources on water
pollution. Encourage students to brainstorm
other ways to get the word out. You
might also have them call the local office of
the EPA to learn more about how NPS affects the
water supply in their area. Have them report
back with specific suggestions of how to make
- Activities for Students:
- Home A Syst:
- Homes and Communities: