point source pollution

Point sources are discrete man-made conveyances, such as a pipes, ditches, channels, conduits, wheeled vehicles, or vessels that discharge pollutants directly to surface water.  Point sources include industrial and municipal discharges, stormwater discharges, runoff from construction sites, mining operations and animal feedlots.

Point sources that discharge into waters covered by the Clean Water Act are regulated by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, and must obtain a permit from the proper authority.