Phosphorus Alternatives at Home

RESEARCH – PHOSPHORUS – ALTERNATIVES AT HOME

Septic Systems
septic system installation Approximately 1/3 of the U.S. population uses septic systems to treat domestic wastewater. Conventional septic systems are usually very effective at removing phosphorus. However, certain soil conditions combined with close proximity to sensitive surface waters can result in phosphorus pollutant loading. Alternative septic systems are being explored at Land Grant Universities that remove additional P located in these difficult situations.

New alternative and innovative onsite wastewater treatment systems are being developed to help protect sensitive water resources. The New England Onsite Wastewater Treatment Center has research systems installed in six communities.

As a result of research conducted at the University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program, a performance-based component was implemented and incorporated into Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080 that guides the proper location, design, installation, use and maintenance of individual sewage treatment systems.

Home Lawns

Over-fertilization of home lawns leads to excess P running off into nearby surface waters. Land Grant University researchers are exploring the fertilizer needs of turf grasses and creating new grass breeds that require less fertilizer.

landscaped lawn To better determine fertilizer use patterns in urban areas, researchers at North Carolina State University conducted a door-to-door lawn care survey in five communities. They found a significant difference in application rate between high/medium income levels and the low-income level. Most household residents (53%) used instructions on the bag and either grass type and/or lawn area to guide them on fertilizer application rates. The information collected helped to establish a targeted educational program to urban audiences.

University of Massachusetts and Rhode Island researchers are evaluating the fate of nutrients associated with conventional and best management practices used in typical eastern turf management systems. Several new golf courses will be using the protocols developed.

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Program sponsored the “From Our Backyards to the Bay: An Urban Nutrient Management Forum” in 2005. At this forum, researchers presented results from areas with new P fertilizer laws.