‘Nutrient pollution is one of America's most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems’ says the United States Environmental Protection Agency. What was once a problem limited to farmer’s irrigation ponds has now become an epidemic, plaguing personal ponds, bays, lakes and water treatment plants. So, what is nutrient pollution and why is it harmful?

Agricultural fertilizers, sewage runoff, the use of fossil fuels and many soaps and detergents contain a significant amount of nitrogen and phosphate. When these nutrients are allowed into our bodies of water, they act as a fertilizer, causing a significant increase in algae growth. An influx of algae can clog irrigation lines and lower oxygen levels in water resulting in fish kills. It can also cause costly problems that many water treatment plants are ill-equipped to handle and severely impacts the local economy.

Foul, algae-contaminated water decreases real estate value for lakeside homes. Campgrounds and parks with contaminated water lose business and municipalities are forced to take costly measures to restore local lakes and ponds. In Minnesota, nitrate removal increased drinking water treatment costs from 4 cents per 1000 gallons to over $4.00 per 100 gallons. Nutrient pollution costs the tourism industry an estimated 1 billion dollars due to a decrease of fishing and boating activities. Though the economic impact of this problem is significant, the most concerning consequence of Nutrient Pollution (also called Eutrophication) is the growth of toxic Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae.

According to HealthLink BC, ingestion of blue green algae can cause, “headaches, nausea, fever, sore throat, dizziness, stomach cramps, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle aches, mouth ulcers, and blistering of the lips.” If water is contaminated with blue-green algae, treatment isn’t easy. The Environmental Protection Agency warns us that the, “[t]reatment of algal blooms with copper sulfate leads to cell breaking and a substantial release of cyanotoxins into the water, greatly increasing the risk of toxin contamination and treatment costs. Copper may also be toxic to other aquatic wildlife in the lake.” According to the EPA, treating toxic algae blooms with algaecides also lead to algal cell breaking and further release of toxins into the water. Excess nutrient load is a dangerous and costly problem, so what is the solution?

Clean, clear water depends on BALANCE. If nutrient levels are too high, they must be lowered to restore balance and create clean, clear water. This is where Nature’s Pond 3-Step Pond Care Program, shines.

Start with our Nature’s Pond Conditioner. This blend of beneficial bacteria, enzymes, plant extracts and a food grade dye works to break down and consume excess nutrients and decaying organic matter in water that accumulates as pond muck and sludge. Once excess nutrients are digested, the majority becomes simple carbon-based matter-- this is where aeration comes into play. Our ‘Bottom-Up’ Aeration System infuses the water with oxygen from the bottom of the water column and allows the digested carbon to make it’s way out of the pond and into the air. The increased oxygen levels give Nature’s Pond Conditioner the energy it needs to keep your water clean and clear for longer periods of time. Aeration improves the overall health of your water and everything that lives in it. The final step in our Pond Care Program is to manually remove unwanted aquatic vegetation from your pond, using our all-in-one Cutter N’ Rake tool.

By following our simple, cost-effective 3-step program, you can eliminate the effects of nutrient pollution and keep your pond, or lake in balance in an ALL-NATURAL way.

Sources and Further Reading:

http://www2.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/problem

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/lake-erie-s-algae-explosion-blamed-on-farmers-1.2729327

http://www2.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/sources-and-solutions

http://www.ecifm.rdg.ac.uk/nutrient.htm

http://www2.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/effects

http://canadianaquaticharvesters.com/plant-species.php

http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/2014/2014-09-25_dickson_lake_closure.php

http://www2.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/effects-economy

http://www.startribune.com/tainted-drinking-water-costs-minn-taxpayers-millions/301324001/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJngQKiHUgc

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