Federal funds awarded for water pollution projects

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has been awarded more than $1 million in federal money to fund water pollution projects.

The grant money is to prevent or control "nonpoint source water pollution," which officials say is the leading cause of water problems in Nevada. Nonpoint source pollution occurs when rain, snow melt or irrigation water flows over developed or disturbed land, picking up contaminants such as oil and pesticides or nutrients which then get into Nevada waterways.

Birgit Widegren of NDEP said those pollution sources are a serious threat to Nevada water resources.

The money will be awarded to projects designed to reduce or eliminate those types of pollution. Proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. Oct. 14. Further information is available at 687-9550 or via e-mail at bwidegren

@ndep.nv.gov.