Excessive nutrients in waterways negatively impact the environment, the people and the economy.

Consequences of excessive nutrients in the water:
People
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Higher cost of drinkable water and health risks
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Lower food security and diminished access to clean water
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Reduced recreational & economic benefits from activities using bodies of water like fish farming, tourism and diving
Planet
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Water reserves suffering irreversible environmental changes
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Severe loss of biodiversity
Economy
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Freshwater pollution by phosphorus and nitrogen represents very high costs for government agencies
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$4.3 Bn spent annually in the USA on dealing with freshwater pollution (Kansas State University)
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$157 Bn spent annually in the USA on dealing with environmental and health damages (Environmental Research Letters)
According to the International Nitrogen System:
“We must halve the amount of nitrogen we dump into the environment by mid-century
or our ecosystems will face epidemics of toxic tides, lifeless rivers, and dead oceans"