toxic chemicals that enter a body of water from many sources.

pollution which comes from diffuse sources such as urban and agricultural runoff

Pollution whose source is not specific in location. The sources of the discharge are dispersed, not well defined, or constant. Rain storms and snowmelt often make this type of pollution worse. Example [..]

pollution in water that comes from multiple sources or locations (not just one specific location) that is generally carried to a river, lake, or stream by precipitation runoff over land. Examples of n [..]

Diffuse discharges of waste throughout the natural environment which are a major cause of water pollution. Difficult to pinpoint physically, but can be classified by type: urban runoff, agricultur [..]

This type of pollution does not have a specific source (contrary to point source pollution), and is very difficult to regulate. Examples of nps include contaminated runoff and soil erosion.

 NPS pollution is created by the flushing of pollutants from landscape by rainfall and the resulting stormwater runoff, or by the leaching of pollutants through the soils into the ground w [..]

Pollution of surface or ground-water supplies originating from land-use activities and/or the atmosphere, having no well-defined point of energy.

Pollution which cannot be traced to a direct outlet or discharge point. Examples would include chemicals applied to lawns and gardens, and automotive fluid spills or leaks on roads and driveways. Runo [..]

Widespread overland runoff containing pollutants; the contamination does not originate from one specific location, and pollution discharges over a wide land area.

pollution that cannot be traced to a single point (Example: outlet or pipe) because it comes from many individual places or a widespread area (typically urban, rural, and agricultural runoff).

water pollution affecting a water body from diffuse sources, rather than a point source which discharges to a water body at a single location.

Pollution caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground picking up and carrying away natural and human-made pollutants, depositing them into waterways and/or ground water.