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

Consequences of excessive nutrients in the water: 

People

• Higher cost of drinkable water and health risks

• Lower food security and diminished access to clean water 

• Reduced recreational & economic benefits from activities using bodies of water like fish farming, tourism and diving 

Planet

• Water reserves suffering irreversible environmental changes

• Severe loss of biodiversity

Economy

• Freshwater pollution by phosphorus and nitrogen represents very high costs for government agencies

• $4.3 Bn spent annually in the USA on dealing with freshwater pollution (Kansas State University)

• $157 Bn spent annually in the USA on dealing with environmental and health damages (Environmental Research Letters)

According to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization, agriculture is the biggest water pollutant due to the excess of nutrients. It is primarily nitrogen and phosphorus that are introduced to bodies of water, which result in rivers, lakes and eventually oceans becoming polluted.
These nutrients spark an excessive growth of algae, which is known as eutrophication

With a growing population and food demand, the situation is only expected to get worse. Can you imagine what our rivers and our oceans will look like if we don’t do something now?

The nutrients come mainly from two sources:

At microTERRA we see it as an opportunity! 
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