Success StoryPhosphorus in Urban Environments



Phosphorus in Urban Environments

Author: Brad Lee

Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences

Major Program: Urban Environments (water issues)

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Approximately one million soil test results collected over a 25-year from the Commonwealth revealed that phosphorus levels in lawns and gardens are exceedingly high and levels have been increasing at an alarming rate, while phosphorus levels from agricultural fields are considerably lower and have decreased over time.  This is of particular interest to the 105 EPA regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities across the state. The results of this soil test phosphorus data analysis has been used across the Commonwealth in urban stormwater presentations to over 1200 people including agricultural producers, homeowners, regulators and lawn and landscape care businesses. We anticipate a reduction in phosphorus fertilizer applications in the urban areas of the state as well as environmental advocate organizations utilizing these results to remove phosphorus from the hands of irresponsible homeowner use as has been done in 11 other states across the nation.






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