Wisconsin’s Phosphorus Rule is Approved

In December, 2010 Wisconsin became the first state in the country to adopt phosphorus water quality standards for lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams.  The Environmental Protection Agency has approved Wisconsin’s revised rule as a revision to Wisconsin’s federally-approved National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program under the Clean Water Act.

Under the new rules DNR determines the phosphorus discharge limits based on the condition and quality of a watershed.  Limits can vary depending on whether a waterway is already impaired by phosphorus, among other factors.

Already this summer, many Wisconsin lakes are experiencing algae blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth, both of which are fueled by phosphorus pollution.  The excess nutrients increase the populations of algae, which can multiply in waterways particularly when the water is warm and the weather is calm. 

Algae is typically not harmful to humans, however, some species produce toxins which can affect people by causing illness so swimming and other water activities should be avoided in areas where algal is present.  Blue-green algae blooms have been blamed for the deaths of many dogs which are more vulnerable because they often drink the contaminated water or swallow the algae as they clean their coats. 

Almost 175 Wisconsin waters are officially listed as “impaired” due to excessive phosphorus levels.  The new rules will help clean up those lakes and protect the others.  The new rule is in addition to a smaller effort from 2009 which restricted the sale of fertilizers containing phosphorus and banned the sale of dishwasher detergents with phosphorus.

Phragmites: Big Grass - Big Problem

A fairly dry winter with very little snowfall plus near drought like conditions this summer has lead to even more aquatic plants.  Another invasive species is quickly filling in exposed lake beds which are occurring due to historic low water levels.  Phragmites, the Common Reed, is a large perennial grass that can grow up to 20 feet tall, not only blocking shoreline views, but it reduces habitats for a variety of animals and competes with native plants for limited resources including habitat, food, and light.

Phragmites is found on every continent except Antarctica.  This colonial plant is capable of forming large stands or colonies arising from one or a few seeds or plant pieces.  These colonies form along the margins of streams and in marshes and ditches.  They form in brackish water and in mucky moist soil of exposed lakebed and coastal wetlands.  It will grow in damp ground, in standing water up to three feet deep, and even as a floating mat. 

The extensive reed beds can spread at sixteen feet or more per year by horizontal runners, which put down strong, deep roots at regular intervals.  The stems grow from six feet to twenty feet tall, with thick feathery plumes of seeds.  The tallest Phragmites plants are common in areas with hot summers and fertile growing conditions.  Eradication of Phragmites is not likely once it successfully invades an area, but with proper control methods and annual maintenance, native plant populations can be reestablished, wildlife and wetland habitat improved, and recreational opportunities restored.

Phragmites is a very aggressive plant and outcompetes nearby vegetation for limited resources including habitat, food, and light.  It grows so tall and the thick feathery plumes shade out native vegetation and makes coastal shorelines and wetlands unfit for wildlife.  One study has determined that the plants growth have reduced suitable nesting habitat for several species of turtles by affecting nest temperature.

Control of Phragmites is more easily achieved in areas where growing seasons are short and plant growth is less vigorous.  Control methods include spraying herbicides, mowing, discing, bulldozing, crushing, shading, dredging, flooding, draining, burning, and grazing; although a combination of treatments is most effective.  After successful treatment, native plants will once again become established in these areas.

 The Aquarius Systems Swamp Devil can easily chop through the thick Phragmites.  This heavy duty shredder effortlessly plows through the stubborn growth while carving through the subsoil creating an open water channel up to three feet deep and eight feet wide.  An aquatic weed harvester can then follow behind collecting the chopped vegetation for disposal.  The Swamp Devil easily maneuvers in shallow environments such as wetlands and marshy aquatic areas. 

While not specifically designed for Phragmites removal one of Aquarius Systems customers has achieved success in reclaiming a pond from the over abundance of Phragmites.  An EH-220, one of our smaller aquatic weed harvesters, ran for six hours per day for six weeks to clear a 20 acre pond of Phragmites and other aquatic invasive species. 

 

Watch the Swamp Devil in Action

Read more about the EH-220 versus phragmites 

Capturing and Using Rainwater from Rooftops

Capturing Rainwater from Rooftops Can Alleviate Nation’s Water Woes

As America’s expanding urban areas struggle with major water supply shortages and runoff pollution problems, capturing rainwater from rooftops provides a tremendous untapped opportunity to increase water supply and improve water quality, according to a recent analysis on Capturing Rainwater from Rooftops by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

By capturing hundreds of millions of gallons of rainfall, residents of these communities would obtain inexpensive onsite water supplies for non-potable uses, such as yard watering and toilet flushing, and would lower energy costs associated with treating and delivering drinkable-quality water.  It would also reduce the street litter such as styrofoam, plastic, and paper; yard waste such as grass clippings , tree trimmings, and leaves; and pet waste that gets washed into local waterways during the rainfall.

The NRDC report illustrates opportunities for capturing, treating and supplying harvested rainwater for non-potable purposes in Atlanta, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; Denver, Colo.; Fort Myers, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Madison, Wis.; and Washington, D.C. Several success stories also demonstrate the effectiveness of rooftop rainwater capture for new construction in New York, N.Y., and redeveloped buildings in Santa Monica, Calif.

The report comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of updating its national standards for controlling runoff pollution from new development and existing paved areas. NRDC encourages the agency to adopt national standards for on-site stormwater retention that will increase green infrastructure approaches such as rainwater harvesting. As a result, communities can effectively transform polluted runoff flowing to our waterways into captured rooftop rainwater used as an on-site water supply resource.