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At this depth, the spaces between the soil and rock particles are filled
up with water. This particular zone is known as the saturated zone.
The topmost portion of the saturated zone is referred to as water
table. The level of water table changes depending upon the season, it
is highest in spring and lowest in summer.
The following points may help in reducing water pollution from non-
point sources.
(vi) Planting trees would reduce pollution by sediments and will also
prevent soil erosion.
Regulations
The Clean Water Act passed in 1972 was enacted to reduce point source
pollution. The act requires an NPDES permit to discharge any pollutant from
a point source, specifically industrial facilities and publicly owned treatment
works. Before this regulation, many facilities were discharging contaminants
directly into waterways. This regulation is aimed at protecting surface water.
However, point sources do not just contaminate surface water; they can
contaminate groundwater as well. Point sources that can contaminate
groundwater include landfill leachate and leaking underground storage
tanks. These discharges are normally accidental and therefore, not regulated.
The Water Quality Act of 1987 set up specific permitting guidelines for storm
water discharge. This made industries become more aware of the effect their
operations were having on the environment and held them accountable for
anything they discharged into the sewer systems. In 1987, the Clean Water
Act was amended to establish the section 319 Non-Point Source
Management Program. This program allows states, territories and Indian
tribes to receive grants to address non-point pollution. In 1991, the National
Monitoring Program was established and supported by the funds authorized
under Section 319 of the amended Clean Water Act. The primary objectives
of the program include evaluating the effectiveness of watershed
technologies designed to control non-point source pollution and improving
our knowledge about non-point source pollution.