The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has recognised 15 utilities for significantly reducing nutrient pollution, one of the leading problems for the health of waterways across the US.
The utilities were selected through Nutrient Smart (NSmart), a collaborative between WEF and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognise utilities that have demonstrated nitrogen or phosphorus reductions and developed robust community outreach programmes.
NSmart also provides information and tools to help utilities make large reductions in nutrients and discharge cleaner water to the environment.
According to EPA, more than 100,000 miles of rivers and streams, close to 2.5 million acres of lakes and ponds, and more than 800 square miles of bays and estuaries are impacted by nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the US nutrient pollution can also lead to algal blooms that are harmful to humans and animals.
Jamie Eichenberger, president of WEF, commented: “Nutrients are one of the most common pollution problems in US waterways and WEF is glad to shine a light on utilities that are leading the way in reducing nitrogen and phosphorus and engaging their communities. NSmart joins other WEF programmes like Utility of the Future and ReNEW which aim to create bold, aspirational calls to action to accelerate resource recovery.”
These utilities have reduced nutrients by at least 90%:
- Nine Springs Treatment Facility – Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (Wisconsin)
- Upper Occoquan Service Authority (Virginia)
- Town of Cary (North Carolina)
- Dorsey Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (Maryland)
- Stafford County Utilities (Virginia)
- Rocky Gap State Park Wastewater Treatment Plant (Maryland)
- Freedom District Wastewater Treatment Plant (Maryland)
These utilities have reduced nutrients by 85-90%:
- Lancaster Area Sewer Authority (Pennsylvania)
- City of Boise (Idaho)
These utilities have reduced nutrients by 70-85%:
- Narragansett Bay Commission (Rhode Island)
- South Platte Renew (Colorado)
- Waterbury Water Pollution Control Facility (Connecticut)
- American Bottoms Regional Wastewater Facility (Illinois)
These utilities have been working towards the nutrient reduction of 30-70% and beginning outreach to the community on the issue:
- City of Greensboro, North Carolina – Water Resource Department, Water Reclamation Division
- Centennial Water and Sanitation District – Colorado
These utilities were additionally recognised as innovators for showcasing an example of treatment technology or leadership in nutrient management:
- Treatment Technology – City of Boise
- Treatment Technology – Narragansett Bay Commission
- Treatment Technology – Town of Cary
- Leadership in Nutrient Management – Upper Occoquan Service Authority
