Nitrogen and phosphorus from clean-water plant discharges and a variety of other sources are a growing cause for concern, since they can foster harmful algal blooms in lakes, streams and reservoirs.
As a consequence, regulatory agencies are ratcheting down effluent limits in facilities’ discharge permits. Earlier this year, the Water Environment Federation, in collaboration with the U.S. EPA, launched the NutrientSmart program to encourage reduction in nutrient loadings to waterways and recognize utilities that lead the way.
NSmart began as a pilot program, supporting the adoption of enhanced nutrient management practices and distributing information on tools and methods for effluent nutrient reduction.
