A Detroit-based drinking water and wastewater treatment service provider says it has surpassed a federal and state regulators' goal for cutting phosphorus levels.
The Great Lakes Water Authority says it has reduced levels by 60% -- ahead of a 2025 state goal to cut them by 40%. Phosphorus levels have been reduced in treated and discharged waters from the authority's Water Resource Recovery Facility.
Phosphorus runoff from agriculture fertilizer is largely responsible for massive algae blooms that turn water in parts of western Lake Erie into a pea soup color. The blooms also are the cause of tainted drinking water, fish kills and beach closures.
The water authority provides service to nearly 130 communities in southeastern Michigan. It is working with other organizations to reduce phosphorus runoff into Lake Erie.