Pollution

There are many forms of pollutants that enter our lakes through various means.  One of the most important pollutants, phosphorus can be prevented.

Phosphorus and Home Lawns. Michigan State University Extension. 2005. 

Fertilizing Home Lawns to Preserve Water Quality. Michigan State University Extension. 2002. 

Phosphorus in Lawns, Landscapes and Lakes. Minnesota Department of Agriculture. 2004.

Maintaining your septic system: special consideration for shoreline property. Michigan State University Extension. 1993.

Who to contact about pollution

Emergency Alerting System Information - In case of environmental emergency affecting AIR - LAND - WATER

Call: 1-800-292-4706 (Outside of Michigan) or 1-517-373-7660 (Michigan)

Pollution Prevention

Michigan Surface Water Overview. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is committed to protecting and preserving Michigan’s water resources. There are several programs in place which support this goal.

Pollution Prevention (P2) in Michigan. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The Department of Environmental Quality provides assistance to businesses, institutions and the public to improve the environment and save money by adopting the three “R’s” reduce, reuse and recycle. Known also as pollution prevention, this is a non-regulatory assistance program that provides information, technical assistance and financial incentives to reduce pollution.

Pollution Prevention (P2). Environmental Protection Agency. Pollution prevention (P2) is reducing or eliminating waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and re-using materials rather than putting them into the waste stream. Since Pollution Prevention is a key policy in national environmental protection activities, a number of Partnership Programs and other EPA initiatives utilize this approach in their work. The site also includes basic information about pollution prevention.

Urban, Municipal and Industrial Pollution. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Even though urban, municipal and industrial pollution as a threat did not meet the criteria as a statewide priority threat, resolution of this threat will require statewide, national and international efforts, as well as restoration efforts at specific contaminated sites. The severity of this threat is considered to be greater in the Lower Peninsula and Lake Erie and Huron basins than in the Upper Peninsula and Lake Michigan and Superior basins.  This site outlines urban, municipal and industrial pollution and addresses the need for conservation concerning these pollution issues.

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