Phosphorus and Blue-Green Algae
Let's take the Phosphate-Free pledge. Eliminate unnecessary phosphorus inputs to lakes from fertilizers. Properly maintain septic systems and grow a natural shoreline buffer.
After a second year of blue-green algae blooms in Ramsey Lake (2008 and 2010), there is growing concern about how algae might affect our drinking water and whether we will be able to enjoy Ramsey Lake like we have in the past. Algae produce toxins that have made the lake unsafe for swimming for part of this summer. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for algae growth. Studies have shown that up to 50% of the phosphorus in stormwater runoff is from lawn application of fertilizer and many lawns and streets in Sudbury including 2nd Ave., Bancroft, Kingsway and Paris drain directly and untreated into Ramsey Lake.
Other jurisdictions such as Manitoba, Maine, New York, Florida, Minnesota and New Jersey have had blue-green algae concerns and have been proactive by implementing a restriction on fertilizers that contain phosphorus. This means consumers use fertilizer labeled with a 0 in the middle indicating no phosphorus such as 30-0-10. This fertilizer costs the same as other fertilizers, is readily available in local stores and is usually all that is needed for an established lawn. On April 1, 2012, the City of Greater Sudbury enacted a bylaw to restrict lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus. Look for the zero in the middle.
Please use phosphorus-free fertilizer, look for the zero in the middle. Establishing a natural shoreline buffer also prevents pollutants from reaching our drinking water source. Other ways we can prevent phosphorus from entering our watershed include washing our cars at a commercial carwash instead of on our driveways, and if you have a septic system, maintaining your septic systems. Pick up after your dog and don't sweep dirt and grass into sewers.
We all need to play a part in keeping phosphorus levels low around Ramsay Lake so it will be healthy for many years to come.
Blue-green algae taken from Ramsey Lake, Sept. 2010
One pound of phosphorus can grow 700 pounds of blue-green algae.
(Beeton, A.M. 1971. Eutrophication of the St. Lawrence Great Lakes. In: Man's Impact on Environment, T.R. Detwyler (ed.), McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, pp. 233-245.)
How often do we want to see this sign on Ramsey Lake?
Phosphate-free fertilizer is available in local hardware stores.
If you can't find it, ask the owner to start stocking it.
Tell your lawn care company you don't want/need phosphorus in your fertilizer.
Phosphorus is only needed from fertilizers when new lawns are being seeded or sod laid.
Look for natural organic compost which also contains micro-nutrients for your lawn.
References: (More found on the Resources page)
Manitoba wages war on phosphorus with fertilizer bans around rivers and lakes
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2006/11/08/mba-phosphorus.html <http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2006/11/08/mba-phosphorus.html>
In 2002 Minnesota became the first state in the U.S. to regulate phosphorus fertilizer use on lawns and turf.
http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/res_detail.cfm?id=1421
Maine restricts use of fertilizer with phosphorus with new law
http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/doclake/fert/phospage.htm <http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/doclake/fert/phospage.htm>
A person may not sell fertilizer containing phosphorus at a retail store after January 1, 2008 unless the seller posts a department-approved sign that indicates that the product is not appropriate for use on non-agricultural lawns or turf due to potential adverse effects on water quality, except when:
(1) Soil test results from a laboratory indicate that additional phosphorus is needed for that lawn or turf; or
(2) The fertilizer will be used in establishing a new lawn or turf, including establishing turf at a sod farm, or for reseeding or over-seeding an existing lawn or turf.
Florida has several county ordinances that prohibit the use of phosphorus in fertilizers.
In Michigan, 4 counties have restrictions.
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/10/editorial_restrict_phosphorus.html
The whole state of Michigan will have a law January 1, 2012
Many New Jersey residents will soon be required to use phosphorus-free fertilizer. Over 100 municipalities will be required to adopt ordinances that ban the use of fertilizer containing phosphorus. 2006
New York State will have a lawn fertilizer restriction on January 1, 2012.
Water Quality Improves After Lawn Fertilizer Ban, Study Shows
Phosphorus levels in the Huron River dropped an average of 28 percent after Ann Arbor, Michigan adopted an ordinance in 2006 that curtailed the use of phosphorus on lawns.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817190741.htm <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817190741.htm>
July 2, 2010 Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin Ban Phosphates in Dishwasher Detergent
http://threeninetyeight.com/2010/07/02/dishwasher-detergent-phosphates-ban/