Final answer:
Point-source contamination, non-point-source contamination, and leakage from underground storage tanks are sources of groundwater contamination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Groundwater contamination can arise from various sources, contributing to a significant environmental issue. The United States Geological Survey identified numerous contaminants that can infiltrate groundwater and have health and other effects. Some common sources of groundwater contamination include:
- Point-source contamination: This type of contamination originates from specific discharge points such as wastewater treatment plants, factories, or combined sewers.
- Non-point-source contamination: This type of contamination comes from diffuse or scattered sources that are challenging to trace, such as agricultural runoff, septic systems, and urban stormwater runoff.
- Leakage from underground storage tanks: Leaking underground storage tanks, commonly used for storing gasoline and other chemicals, can contaminate groundwater if the tanks are corroded or damaged.