NCF-Envirothon Mississippi - Current Issue Study Resources Part A - Non-Point Source Pollution

Sep 17, 2026

2026 NCF-Envirothon Mississippi current environmental issue study resources for Part A focus on non-point source pollution and how it affects water quality across watersheds. The materials define NPS pollution, distinguish it from point sources, and explain watershed-ecology changes through the water and nutrient/biogeochemical cycles. Learners review major NPS types, sources, and pathways, assess impacts on designated water uses, and preview tools and practices for evaluating sources and solutions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatPDF

Pages203

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Key Topic #1: Non-Point Source Pollution Status

Learning Objectives

Key Topic #2: NPS in a Growing World and Your Role in It

Key Topic #3: The Role of the Individual/Community in NPS Issues and Solutions

Key Topic #4: Strategies to Evaluate NPS Sources, Issues, and Solutions

Key Topic #5: Legislation, Regulations, and Voluntary Measures

Key Topic #6: Your Best Management Practices for NPS

2026 NCF-ENVIROTHON MISSISSIPPI CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION MITIGATION-IT BEGINS AT HOME! STUDY RESOURCES PART A 2026 NCF-Envirothon Mississippi Current Issue Study Resources PartA Non-Point Source Pollution: It Begins at Home Table of Contents Key Topic \#1: Non-Point Source Pollution Status……………………………………………………….. 3 Key Topic \#2: NPS in a Growing World and Your Role in It…………………………………………….. 46 Key Topic \#3: The Role of the Individual/Community in NPS Issues and Solutions…………… 83 Key Topic \#4: Strategies to Evaluate NPS Sources, Issues, and Solutions……………………….. 112 Key Topic \#5 Legislation, Regulations, and Voluntary Measures……………………………………. 146 Key Topic \#6: Your Best Management Practices for NPS……………………………………….…….. 171 | Non-Point Source Pollution Status | What is NPS pollution and why does it matter?Deﬁnes NPS pollution, its diffuse nature, and its impact on water resources. Builds foundational knowledge and observational skills. | | --- | --- | | NPS in a Growing World and | How human development and personal choices drive NPS pollution. Connects population | | Your Role in It | growth, land use, and consumer behavior to environmental impact. Encourages systems thinking and self-reﬂection. | | The Role of the | Change begins at home and spreads through community action. Focuses on civic | | Individual/Community in NPS | engagement, community science, and grassroots solutions. Promotes empowerment and | | Issues and Solutions | collaboration. | | Strategies to Evaluate NPS How do we assess NPS pollution– and how do we know if solutions work?Introduces ﬁeld and Sources, Issues, and Solutions analytical tools for identifying, measuring, and evaluating NPS sources and responses. | | | Legislation, Regulations, and | What are the rules– and who makes them?Explores policy, governance, and incentives behind | | Voluntary Measures | NPS management. Emphasizes civic literacy and institutional collaboration. | | Your Best Management | What works– and where? Focuses on applied solutions, technical practices, and BMPs. Builds | | Practices for NPS | site-speciﬁc decision-making and implementation skills. | Please Note: Any hyperlinks within the study resources, except for those specifically mentioned as a resource on the Key Topics pages and with a dedicated page in the resources (i.e., YouTube videos), are supplemental material ONLY. They may be used for additional information but are not required study resources. Key Topic \#1: Non-Point Source Pollution Status Learning Objectives 1. Deﬁne non-point source (NPS) pollution and differentiate it from point source pollution using real-world examples from urban and rural settings. 2. Explain changes in watershed ecology that inﬂuence NPS pollution (Water cycle, nutrient cycles, carbon cycles, river continuum concept) . 3. Identify major types, sources and pathways of NPS pollution in surface water systems, including stormwater runoff, agricultural ﬁelds, and impervious surfaces. 4. Describe the impacts of NPS pollution on water quality and designated water uses (e.g. , recreation, ﬁsheries, drinking water) . | Resource Title | Source | Located on | | --- | --- | --- | | The Water Cycle | U.S. Geological Survey,2022 | Page 4 | | Biogeochemical Cycles: C, N, & P | Melissa Ha and Rachel Schleiger,Yuba
College & Butte, Libre Texts (2020, August 6) | Page 5-14 | | Nutrient Dynamics | Water on the Web | Page 15-17 | | What is a Watershed? | U.S. EPA factsheet | Page 18-20 | | Understand Your Watershed:
Hydrology and Geomorphology, excerpts | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 2006 | Page 21-38 | | Designated Uses and Why They are Important, excerpts from Section 2.1.1 | Water Quality Standards Handbook-U.S. EPA, 2024 | Page 39-40 | | Basic information about Nonpoint Source | U.S. EPAfactsheet | Page 41-42 | | Introduction to Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) Impaired Waters | U.S. EPAfactsheet (July 17,

FAQs

What is non-point source (NPS) pollution, and how is it different from point source pollution?

NPS pollution is diffuse and does not come from a single identifiable discharge point, unlike point source pollution. The study resources use urban and rural real-world examples to differentiate the two.

Which watershed ecology changes influence NPS pollution?

Watershed-ecology changes include shifts in the water cycle, nutrient cycles, carbon cycles, and concepts such as the river continuum. These factors shape how NPS pollution forms and moves.

How do the learning objectives describe the impacts of NPS pollution?

They explain how NPS pollution affects water quality and designated water uses such as recreation, fisheries, and drinking water.

Sep 17, 2026

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