Point Source Point source discharges are wastewater discharges that can include domestic waste such as toilets and sinks, or industrial waste streams with a variety of contaminants. The treatment and management of these wastes is essential to maintain a clean and viable community, but also to protect source water— whether the source is a direct water body or infiltration into the aquifer—for future use. Treating wastewater from communities, commercial, and industrial facilities is essential to protecting the long‑term health of the environment and citizens. Wastewater treatment can be a limiting factor in a community's ability to support population growth and economic development due to the availability of treatment, age and condition of treatment capacity, and new, more stringent effluent limits. This can add financial burden onto communities and its residents. When identifying areas for economic growth, specifically with industrial-based facilities, wastewater treatment capabilities can be the essential piece of infrastructure considered to determine the location for growth opportunities.
Did You Know? Point source wastewater is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and is facilitated through the SD DANR.
Figure 10.1 Water Cycle
Infrastructure First Project
Water Quality | 123
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