 | | Time to Act | Why: Why Action is Needed Now There are many factors that contribute to the declining health of our lakes, rivers and streams but the most important issue facing Manitoba’s lakes and rivers is excessive contributions of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorous. |
 | Human activity contributes to this directly and indirectly in several ways, from runoff from agricultural fields, feed lots, urban lawns, golf courses, untreated or partially treated waste and household cleaning supplies and detergents that contain large amounts of phosphates. Every year about 8,000 tonnes of phosphorus enters the lake along with over 90,000 tonnes of nitrogen. Problems resulting from nutrient overloading are algal blooms and related toxins that foul beaches and impact the natural beauty and reduce recreation opportunities for fulltime and seasonal residents. | | Once algal blooms die the organic matter sinks to the bottom and decomposes. The decomposition process depletes the supply of oxygen, impacting aquatic life cycles and reducing our water quality. | In the 1970s scientists identified nutrients as a contributing factor to algal blooms. Although there are a number of sources of phosphorous and nitrogen and all sectors must do their part, as consumers we can contribute to the reduction of these harmful nutrients by making wise and lake friendly choices in the products we purchase. | | | | |
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