Nutrient Pollution
Nutrient pollution is when an overabundance of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, enters the water system. It is detrimental to human health and the economy. Excessive nitrogen is also a common drinking water contaminant and is particularly harmful for infants.
Overview
Nutrient pollution is when an overabundance of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, enter the water system. These nutrients are natural, but in high quantities they can lead to an overgrowth of algae–known as “algal blooms”–and decrease oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. The primary sources of excess nutrients are runoff from fertilizers and animal manure, discharges from domestic and municipal sewage systems, and stormwater runoff. Nutrient pollution is detrimental to human health and the economy. Excessive nitrogen is also a common drinking water contaminant and particularly harmful for infants.
Key Facts
Nutrient pollution threatens drinking water and the ecological stability of rivers and lakes through algal blooms and hypoxic zones.
Only 1.6% of rivers and streams in the 10 state Mississippi River corridor are tested for phosphorus, and 0.6% are tested for nitrates.
Economic activity connected to the Mississippi River generates $405 billion annually and supports 1.3 million jobs, all of which depend on a healthy river.
Current Legislation
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| H.B.2660: An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Agriculture-Linked Investment Program, further providing for legislative intent, for definitions, for general author ity of commission and for Agriculture-Linked Investment Program.View Source | Pennsylvania | PA Rep. Joe Kerwin (R-PA-125) | Water, Land | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| H5433: An Act regulating the use of fertilizer in the town of WellfleetView Source | Massachusetts | MA Sen. Julian Cyr (D-MA-Massachusetts Senate Cape and Islands), MA Rep. Hadley Luddy (D-MA-Massachusetts House 4th Barnstable) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| SB3227: Nitrogen Reduction IncentiveView Source | Illinois | IL Sen. Doris Turner (D-IL-048) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| SB3721: Ag-Fall Covers Spring SavingsView Source | Illinois | IL Sen. Doris Turner (D-IL-048) | Water, Land | Nutrient Pollution, Soil Health, Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| HD6137: An Act regulating the use of fertilizer in the town of WellfleetView Source | Massachusetts | MA Sen. Julian Cyr (D-MA-Massachusetts Senate Cape and Islands), MA Rep. Hadley Luddy (D-MA-Massachusetts House 4th Barnstable) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| HB5512: Ag-Fall Covers Spring SavingsView Source | Illinois | IL Rep. Sonya Harper (D-IL-006) | Water, Land | Nutrient Pollution, Soil Health, Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Out of Committee | |
| S.B.2110: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.View Source | Hawaii | HI Sen. Mike Gabbard (D-HI-021) | Wildlife, Water, Land | Invasive Species, Nutrient Pollution, Soil Health, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Passed Second Chamber | |
| AB2447: Water: Nitrogen Pollution Reduction Act.View Source | California | CA Assemb. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-CA-016) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Out of Committee | |
| HB4610: Nitrogen Reduction IncentiveView Source | Illinois | IL Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-IL-113) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| H1021: An Act relative to local protection of water resources from nutrient pollutionView Source | Massachusetts | MA Rep. Edward "Ted" Philips (D-MA-Massachusetts House 8th Norfolk) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Out of Committee | |
| H5215: An Act establishing the Blue Communities ProgramView Source | Massachusetts | Oceans, Water | Nutrient Pollution, Ocean Acidification , Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Ocean Acidification | Out of Committee | |
| HB 2343: Protecting the public from water quality impacts of publicly owned or operated game farms.View Source | Washington | WA Rep. Peter Abbarno (R-WA-020) | Wildlife, Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water , Wildlife Agency Relevance and Funding | Passed Original Chamber | |
| SB 1386: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task ForceView Source | Florida | FL Sen. Carlos Smith (D-FL-017) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| SB 6088: Protecting the public from water quality impacts of publicly owned or operated game farms.View Source | Washington | WA Sen. John Braun (R-WA-020) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| HB0579: An act relating to establishing criteria for the application of alum to Vermont watersView Source | Vermont | VT Rep. Amy Sheldon (D-VT-001) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| S566: An Act to overcome coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollutionView Source | Massachusetts | MA Sen. Julian Cyr (D-MA-Massachusetts Senate Cape and Islands) | Oceans, Water | Nutrient Pollution, Ocean Acidification , Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Ocean Acidification | Out of Committee |
| S638: Resolve establishing a coastal waters wastewater financing commissionView Source | Massachusetts | MA Sen. Mark Montigny (D-MA-Massachusetts Senate Second Bristol and Plymouth) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Out of Committee | |
| H1000: An Act establishing a coastal waters wastewater financing commissionView Source | Massachusetts | MA Rep. Christopher "Chris" Markey (D-MA-Massachusetts House 9th Bristol) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Out of Committee | |
| S599: An Act to overcome coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollutionView Source | Massachusetts | MA Sen. Dylan Fernandes (D-MA-Massachusetts Senate Plymouth and Barnstable) | Climate, Oceans, Water | Coastal Resilience, Nutrient Pollution, Ocean Acidification , Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Ocean Acidification, Coastal Resilience | Introduced or Prefiled |
| H897: An Act to overcome coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollutionView Source | Massachusetts | MA Rep. Michelle Badger (D-MA-Massachusetts House 1st Plymouth) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| S600: An Act establishing the Blue Communities ProgramView Source | Massachusetts | MA Sen. Dylan Fernandes (D-MA-Massachusetts Senate Plymouth and Barnstable) | Oceans, Water | Nutrient Pollution, Ocean Acidification , Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Ocean Acidification | Introduced or Prefiled |
| H931: An Act establishing the Blue Communities ProgramView Source | Massachusetts | MA Rep. Mindy Domb (D-MA-Massachusetts House 3rd Hampshire), MA Rep. Thomas Moakley (D-MA-Massachusetts House Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket) | Oceans, Water | Nutrient Pollution, Ocean Acidification , Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Ocean Acidification | Introduced or Prefiled |
| H867: Poultry Waste Management.View Source | North Carolina | NC Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-NC-061), NC Rep. Phillip "Phil" Rubin (D-NC-040), NC Rep. Julia Greenfield (D-NC-100), NC Rep. Deb Butler (D-NC-018) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| SF1840: Grant program appropriation to promote certain nutrient management practicesView Source | Minnesota | MN Sen. Robert "Rob" Kupec (D-MN-004) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Out of Committee | |
| HF1524: Agriculture grant program established to promote certain nutrient management practices, and money appropriated.View Source | Minnesota | MN Rep. Bobbie Harder (R-MN-017B) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Out of Committee | |
| HB0113: An act relating to lakes in crisis and requirements for designationView Source | Vermont | VT Rep. Woodman "Woody" Page (R-VT-065) | Water | Nutrient Pollution, Sustainable Agriculture & Water | Introduced or Prefiled |
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Related Resources
Nutrient Pollution Fact Sheet
Nutrient pollution occurs when an overabundance of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, enters the water system. High quantities can lead to an overgrowth of algae and decrease the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. The primary sources of excess nutrients are (1) runoff from fertilizers and animal manure, (2) discharges from sewage systems, (3) stormwater runoff, and (4) fossil fuels. Nutrient pollution is also detrimental to human health and the economy: it contaminates drinking water, leads to commercial fishing losses, and impacts recreational activities. Water bodies in every U.S. state are impacted by nutrient pollution, with many states now implementing nutrient reduction strategies to support local communities and economies.
Nutrient Pollution FAQ
This one-pager includes answers to frequently asked questions about nutrient pollution including what hypoxia is, the sources of nutrient pollution, and strategies to combat pollution.
Young Farmer Policy Options
According to the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture, the average age of farmers is 59, meaning a majority of farms will need to be passed on to the next generation in the coming years. Bringing young and new farmers into the workforce is vital to ensuring the security of our food supply. Furthermore, engaging young farmers will make for more sustainable farms; a survey led by the National Young Farmers Coalition revealed that 75% of young farmer respondents described their farming practices as sustainable (i.e., cover crops, rotational grazing, no-till). However, young and beginning farmers face numerous challenges such as access to affordable farmland, which is compounded by other economic barriers including student loan debt, health insurance, and credit access. Listed below are policy options to reduce some of these barriers and encourage young and beginning farmers to enter into farming.
Online Resources
This report by the Friends of the Mississippi River and US National Park Service includes 14 key indicators of water quality and ecological health in the river, including swimming and recreation, flow and hydrology, and river life.
Nutrient Pollution and Environmental Justice
In addition to posing significant threats to the environment and wildlife, nutrient pollution from agricultural, industrial, and municipal sources degrade human health and compounds existing environmental injustices.
Toxic Drinking Water
Areas served by community water systems (CWSs) with high shares of agricultural land and/or Hispanic residents are associated with higher concentrations of nitrates in drinking water which may increase the risks of cancers and birth defects. (ehjournal.biomedcentral.com)
Half of U.S. Waterways
According to a 2022 report, about half of U.S. waterways are too polluted for swimming, fishing, or drinking in large part due to a lack of controls for nutrient pollution runoff. Algal blooms caused by nutrient pollution can make water too toxic for human consumption or recreation, further limiting beneficial outdoor access opportunities for underserved communities. (thehill.com)
Financial Losses
The tourism industry loses almost $1 billion each year due to water bodies that have been affected by nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms. These losses likely have an outsized impact on rural, low- to moderate-income, and seasonal and/or immigrant communities that are employed in the tourism industry. (epa.gov)
What Members Say
“NEC has been an incredible source of data and information as a state legislator and during my time as Indiana’s State Lead. By monitoring the actions that other state legislatures have taken to [improve sustainable agriculture] across the nation, I am better able to learn from the work of others and craft policy in Indiana that would best serve our residents.”
Representative Maureen Bauer
Indiana
News & Events
2026 Energy Affordability Leaders Summit
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2026 MRLC Forum Recap
State legislators from across seven states convened in Jackson, Mississippi, for the 2026 Mississippi River Legislative Caucus (MRLC) Forum, where they explored how to support one of the most economically and socially consequential waterways.
Legislators from 43 States and Territories Oppose USDA’s Effort to Rescind the “Roadless Rule”
A bipartisan group of 232 state legislators from 43 states and territories submitted a formal comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) opposing the proposed rescission of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (the “Roadless Rule”).
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