The Stormwater Report

What’s the difference between a crop field and a large commercial plant nursery? As it turns out, very little — at least in terms of runoff generation. Although nurseries generally grow tree crops and ornamental plants in pots rather than fields, both field crops and nursery planters contribute to water pollution when rain washes excess […]

The results of an experiment spanning nearly a half-century at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) claim that if water stewards want to stem the growth of harmful algal blooms, they should focus on phosphorus rather than nitrogen. The discovery, made by the same research organization credited with identifying phosphorus as […]

A new scientific report released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that 46% of the nation’s river and stream miles suffer from phosphorus and nitrogen pollution. This situation creates a poor habitat environment that is not conducive for supporting healthy populations of aquatic life. These conditions are caused largely by excess fertilizers, wastewater, […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a first-ever report that addresses the extent of nitrogen and phosphorus monitoring including discharge limits for major water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) within the 12 states comprising the Hypoxia Task Force (HTF). Established in 1997, the HTF is a partnership of 12 states, five federal agencies, and a […]

The U.S. and Canadian governments have adopted targets to reduce phosphorus entering areas of Lake Erie by 40% in an effort to improve water quality and minimize risks to public health. The reductions seek to decrease the amount of low oxygen “dead zones” in the central basin of Lake Erie, encourage algae growth at a […]