• Contact Us
• Site Index

Reduce nitrogen loads from municipal and industrial wastewater to support achievement of the nutrient reduction goal.

• A major cause of the Bay's poor water quality and aquatic habitat loss is elevated levels of two nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorous. These nutrients occur naturally in soil, animal waste, plant material, and even the atmosphere. In addition to these natural sources, municipal and industrial wastewater, emissions from vehicles, industry and electric utilities, and excess fertilizer and animal waste from agricultural, residential and urban areas contribute nutrients to the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.
• The vast majority of wastewater nutrient loads are from municipal wastewater treatment facility discharges, although some come from industrial facility discharges.
• The 34 M lb/yr reduction in point source nitrogen loads realized between 1985 and 2006 is primarily due to reductions from industrial facilities and municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
  • The 18 M lb/yr reduction achieved at municipal wastewater treatment facilities are primarily due to implementation of NRT.
  • The 16 M lb/yr reduction achieved at industrial facilities in some cases is due to removal of nitrogen through manufacturing process changes, removal of nitrogen through improved treatment, and the diversion of effluent to municipal facilities for treatment

• Sources of Nitrogen Loads to the Bay

For more information contact: Ning Zhou at 800-968-7229 ext. 727

Chesapeake Bay Program Office