Pollutants sourced from widespread or dispersed sources such as from pasture runoff of animal wastes, fertiliser and sediments, as well as runoff of pollutants from paved surfaces in urban areas. Compared to point-source discharges, diffuse source pollutants are much more difficult to manage as they often come from a large number of small sources. However, the term also covers the pollution that comes from an eroding river bank or seepage of soluble pollutants into groundwater. Diffuse source discharge is also known as non-point source discharges.
