Phosphorus and Nitrogen Pollution

Phosphorus and Nitrogen Pollution, commonly referred to as “nutrient pollution” wreaks havoc on Wisconsin waters and contributes to an ever-growing “dead zone,” an area devoid of oxygen necessary to support marine life, at the mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico.  Locally, Wisconsin residents often experience excessive concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen pollution in the form of stinky pea green algae blooms in local recreational waters.  These algae blooms, not only deter Wisconsin residents from using and enjoying our many waterways, but are potentially harmful to humans, pets, livestock and fish and other aquatic life.  Phosphorus and nitrogen fueled algae blooms called blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, produce toxins that can cause a whole host of problems in Wisconsin waters. Skin contact with blue-green algae toxins can cause itchy eyes and throat, skin rashes, and hives on humans. An individual that ingests these blue-green algae toxins risks a wide variety of unpleasant illnesses and severe health problems, including stomach craps, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache, severe muscle or joint pain, and seizures or convulsions.  Children, who often play in shallow water, are more vulnerable and may experience more severe illness such as liver and central nervous system problems.   Animals, including livestock and pets that ingest blue green algae may experience severe illness or die.  Blue-green algae contaminating cattle’s water source can lead to large livestock losses.

While the pea green soup appearance, algae mats, and stench is often enough to dissuade many residents from swimming or boating in algae ridden waters, each summer Wisconsin communities must officially “close” beaches throughout each state to deter public recreation in these potentially toxic waters.

Excessive algae growth can also rob freshwater systems of the dissolved oxygen necessary to support a healthy fish community. 

Midwest Environmental Advocates's Projects: MEA relied on the Mississippi River Collaborative’s technical assistance to craft an innovative solution to reduce pollution to the North Fork Juda Branch Creek, a waterway heavily impacted by low dissolved oxygen levels due to excessive phosphorous loadings. Specifically, on behalf of clients, Wisconsin Environmental Law Advocates (WELA), MEA challenged wastewater discharge permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to Grande Cheese Company and Protient Inc.  These permits would have increased the amount of phosphorus discharged into North Fork Juda Branch Creek.  In Spring 2008, WELA reached agreements with both Grande Cheese Company and Protient, Inc. that will benefit the Lower Sugar River Watershed, while also protecting the North Fork Juda Branch Creek. Under these agreements, Grande and Protient will pay $40,000 to the Green County Land Conservation Department to fund projects to reduce phosphorus loadings and non-point source pollution in the Lower Sugar River Watershed.