States and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have joined together to form a new State/EPA Nonpoint Source Partnership. The Partnership provides an excellent framework for States and EPA to work together cooperatively to identify, prioritize, and solve nonpoint source problems. Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water.

The goal of this program is to maintain and restore water quality in the face of threats and impairments caused by nonpoint source pollution.

The States and EPA have established eight work groups to focus on nonpoint source topic-specific needs, including: watershed planning and implementation; rural nonpoint sources; urban nonpoint sources; nonpoint source grants management; nonpoint source capacity building and funding; information transfer and outreach; nonpoint source results; and nonpoint source monitoring. Hundreds of case studies of nonpoint source pollution management projects are available on the EPA NPS website. The website also offers resources and tips on reducing NPS pollution for individuals, agriculture, marinas, and forestry operations, and an educational section for children.