Nutrient Pollution Drives Nitrate Problems in Decatur Drinking Water Source

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 15:59:14 +0000

Surrounded by some of the world’s richest soil and home to two major grain processing plants, Decatur has long been a hub for agribusiness in the United States.

One major trade-off comes in the form of excess nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, that runoff from fertilizers used on local farm fields and from discharges from wastewater treatment plants and factories.

In an effort to make the water safe to drink, Decatur, Illinois constructed a $7.6 million nitrate reduction facility in 2002. But, that does not mean the nutrients have gone away as runoff from farms in the lake’s watershed and wastewater discharge from heavy industry find their way into the lake and, eventually, beyond.

nitrate reduction – Aquarius-Systems

Nutrient Pollution Drives Nitrate Problems in Decatur Drinking Water Source