Reduce phosphorus use for cleaner water
Phosphorus is a pollutant threatening the environmental health of many Ontario lakes and rivers, including the Great Lakes and Lake Simcoe. You can do your part to keep phosphorus out of our lakes and protect our water.
Phosphorus occurs naturally in the environment and is also a by product of many human activities. Phosphorus helps plants grow, but having too much of it in lakes leads to excessive plant growth and algae blooms. This excessive algae growth can deplete the oxygen levels that fish need to thrive. We are seeing excess phosphorus entering our waters from sewage plants, storm sewers, septic systems, urban and agricultural run-off and airborne particles. Here are a few simple things that you and your family can do to reduce your phosphorus footprint.
- Reduce fertilizer use. Lawn fertilizers often contain phosphorus. Storm runoff, melting snow and soil erosion can carry fertilizer phosphates into surface waters. Use fertilizers that are phosphorus-free or, better yet, compost your leaves and food waste to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizer.
- Go phosphate-free. Look for household products, such as laundry detergent, car washing detergent, dishwasher soap and other cleaning products that are phosphate-free.
- Stoop and scoop. Your pet's waste contains phosphorus and other contaminants. Rainstorms and spring runoff can carry animal waste into sewers and rivers - so it's important to pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste properly.
For more information and tips on how to keep phosphorus out of our lakes, visit our Lake Simcoe Protection page.
