Non-Point Source
Pollution that comes from many diffuse sources rather than one identifiable origin—like agricultural runoff, urban stormwater, or atmospheric deposition.
Related terms
Point Source A single, identifiable source of pollution, such as a discharge pipe, smokestack, or factory outlet—the kind regulators can permit and measure directly. Source of Pollution The origin point or activity that introduces a contaminant into the environment. Sources are categorized as point sources (single, identifiable) or non-point sources (diffuse).