Point loads are easier to examine and assess than non-point loads, and they are also simpler to treat. Examples of point loads are usually considered to be sewage and industrial water systems. These systems deposit nutrients directly into waterbodies , which will have an greater effect than non-point loads on eutrophication.
Non-point loads are only partially possible to estimate quantitatively, and which even in future computer simulation could scarcely ever be brought under control in combating eutrophication .The non-point loads consist of natural sources of nutrients and artificial or semiartificial sources. Natural sources are associated with untouched mountains and woodland streams, soil erosion, aeolian loading, and pollen. Artificial or semiartificial sources are the result of human activities which are not point loadings. Examples of non-point loadings would be artificial and natural fertilizers being leached from farmland, or nutrients emanating in a diffuse manner from air pollution.