Nutrient Pollution in Water

NUTRIENT POLLUTION IN WATER AGRICULTURE Animal manure, excess fertilizer applied to crops and fields, and soil erosion make agriculture one of the largest sources of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the environment. STORM WATER STOP When precipitation falls in our cities and towns, it runs across hard surfaces – like roof tops, sidewalks and roads – and carries pollutants, including nitrogen and phosphorus, into local waterways. WATER WASTE Our sewer and septic systems are responsible for treating large quantities of waste, and these systems do not always operate properly or remove enough nitrogen and phosphorus before discharging into waterways. FOSSIL FUELS Electric power generation, industry, transportation and agriculture have increased the amount of nitrogen in the air through use of fossil fuels.