Polluted Runoff:
Protecting Wisconsin's Water Quality by Eliminating Polluted Runoff

With nearly 15,000 lakes, and more than 33,000 miles of rivers, Wisconsin is rich in water resources. These flowing waterways support our lifestyle and economy. However, beneath the surface and sometimes floating on it, lies a heavy load of phosphorus, sediment, bacteria, toxins and other pollutants. Various forms of polluted runoff such as urban runoff, runoff from fertilized lawns, and sediments from construction sites choke aquatic plants and animals, and raise water temperatures in our lakes and streams. Polluted runoff is responsible for serious economic, environmental, and human health consequences in Wisconsin. More specifically, agricultural runoff is now Wisconsin's leading cause of aquatic impairment, contributing nitrates, sediment, phosphorous, ammonia, and numerous pathogens to Wisconsin's waters.

Clean Wisconsin is working hard to obtain a fully funded polluted runoff program through the state budget bill as well as establish legislation prohibiting winter spreading of manure adjacent to water bodies, establish a riparian buffer regulatory requirement for Wisconsin, increase state enforcement of water quality programs, and support efforts to establish a ban on phosphorus in lawn fertilizers.