Phosphorus Ban Passes in Wisconsin

A bill banning the use of Phosphorus as an ingredient in lawn fertilizers was recently signed into law in Wisconsin. The bill, which passed unanimously in both houses of the Wisconsin legislature, takes effect December First.

The measure is aimed at protecting Wisconsin lakes from algae blooms. Since plants dont absorb more phosphorus than they can use, excess phosphorus from lawns can wash directly into our lakes and streams, causing smelly algae blooms, fish kills, and declining water quality.

Minnesota has had a successful statewide law banning use and sale of phosphorus lawn fertilizer in effect since 2005. More info on Minnesota's law can be found at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website.

Lakes and rivers can be extremely sensitive to small amounts of phosphorus runoff. It takes 20 parts per million (ppm) of soil phosphorus to grow healthy turf; 25 parts per billion (a quantity 1000 times smaller) can promote excessive algae growth in lakes.