Phosphorus Fertilizer Bans Work in Minnesota

Product substitution is one of the most effective stormwater pollution control tools that we have, but we rarely wield it. Think for a minute about the dramatic reductions in lead concentrations in stormwater runoff that were achieved by the introduction of unleaded gasoline.

The same degree of success might be achieved if phosphorus was removed from lawn fertilizer. A recent paper by John Barten from the Minneapolis area shows some impressive reductions in residential stormwater phosphorus concentrations for smaller storm events as a result of Minnesota law that required the sale of P-free fertilizer in the Twin cities area, unless a soil test indicated an actual need for the element. Click here to access a copy of the paper.