Why do you think the watershed approach to addressing nonpoint source pollution is useful?
This may help you answer that:
http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/watershed/
The watershed approach to addressing nonpoint source pollution is useful for several reasons. First, it allows for a holistic and integrated approach to managing water quality issues. By considering an entire watershed, which is the area of land that drains into a particular water body, we can better understand and manage the different sources and pathways of pollution that may impact water quality.
To understand why the watershed approach is useful, we need to understand what nonpoint source pollution is. Nonpoint source pollution refers to pollution that comes from diffuse sources, such as runoff from agricultural fields, urban areas, industrial sites, and natural landscapes like forests. Unlike point source pollution, which comes from specific, identifiable sources like factories or wastewater treatment plants, nonpoint source pollution is more challenging to control and regulate because it comes from many scattered sources.
So, the watershed approach is useful because it takes into account the interconnected nature of nonpoint source pollution. It recognizes that pollutants can originate from various land uses and activities across a watershed, and these pollutants can be transported through runoff and eventually reach water bodies like rivers, lakes, and estuaries. By considering the entire watershed, we can develop a comprehensive understanding of the pollution sources, identify critical areas of concern, and implement targeted management actions.
To implement the watershed approach, a few key steps are typically followed:
1. Watershed delineation: A watershed is defined by the natural topography, where all the land area that drains into a particular body of water is delineated. This step helps identify the boundaries within which the watershed management actions will be implemented.
2. Assessing water quality: Conducting water quality monitoring is an important step to identify pollution sources and understand the severity of the problem. This involves collecting samples from different points within the watershed and analyzing them for various pollutants.
3. Identifying pollution sources: Once the water quality data is collected and analyzed, it helps in identifying the key sources of pollution within the watershed. This can include agricultural practices, urban stormwater runoff, industrial discharges, or faulty septic systems.
4. Developing a watershed management plan: Based on the identified pollution sources, a comprehensive management plan can be developed. This plan should include strategies and best management practices that reduce or prevent pollution. For example, implementing proper practices on farms to minimize nutrient runoff, improving stormwater management in urban areas, or promoting the use of vegetated buffers along water bodies.
5. Implementing and evaluating management actions: The management plan should be implemented, and progress should be monitored and evaluated regularly to assess the effectiveness of the implemented measures. Adjustments and improvements can be made based on the results.
Overall, the watershed approach provides a framework for collaborative decision-making and coordination among diverse stakeholders, including governmental agencies, landowners, farmers, industry, and the public. By taking a comprehensive view of the entire watershed, we can better understand and address nonpoint source pollution, ultimately improving water quality for both human and ecosystem health.