The legal definition of “point source” is provided in 6 NYCRR Part 050-1.2(65) as follows:
The term “point source” means any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, or landfill leachate collection system from which pollutants are or may be discharged. This term does not include agricultural storm water discharges and return flows from irrigated agriculture.
On golf courses, point sources of pollution can originate from:
- storage and maintenance facilities
- the unintended release of chemicals, such as pesticides, fertilizers, or fuel, during transportation, storage, or handling
- drainage discharge outlets (for example, the end of a drainage pipe)
Containment measures can easily prevent chemicals from becoming point sources of pollution during storage and handling. To prevent discharges from contaminating surface waters, the discharges must be diverted away from surface water and onto turf areas or other appropriate areas instead.
