Pollution can come from either “point sources” on “non-point sources.” A point source is a concentrated, identifiable source of pollution, like a sewer pipe or old mine. Nonpoint source pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater.
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environmentt (CDPHE) is the primary state agency that addresses water pollution. It has a regulatory role and also promotes partnerships that will actively engage communities in the restoration and protection of waters impacted by nonpoint source pollution.
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