A Systems Engineering Model To Management And Abatement Of Nonpoint Source Pollution

Management of nonpoint source pollution management, consisting primarily of education and regulatory efforts, has had little success to date. Indeed, nonpoint source pollution is getting worse, not better, and the Environmental Protection Agency rates it as the leading cause of water quality problems. We must deal with the problems through a systems approach to achieving workable, feasible solutions. Unlike point source input, where the levels, quantities, and consistency of loading are known, nonpoint source pollution must be modeled as an environmentally open system that is constantly changing. Successful management of nonpoint pollution requires a systems approach for applying general land management practices to specific, unique watersheds focusing on identifying the specific objectives, increasing participation of the affected people in the development process, and applying continuous refinements and improvements once the watershed’s management system is emplaced. This paper proposes a more holistic approach that will result in robust methods for modeling, implementing, and assessing the control and abatement of nonpoint source pollution.