Water quality can be affected by many different factors, such as stormwater runoff containing motor oil, road salt, antifreeze, gasoline, animal wastes, fertilizers, pesticides, and other substances. Poorly maintained septic systems and household cleaning products can get rinsed down household drains or end up in landfills, contaminating our water. Precipitation may contain pollutants carried in by the wind from incinerators, power generating plants, and industries hundreds of miles away.


More information about water quality can be found in these Fact Sheets:

• NonPoint Source Pollution and Stormwater


• Sediment


• Toxic Pollution


• Wetlands


• Nutrients


• Invasive Species


• Public Health and Wastewater


• Maintaining Your Septic System