Over the past year, I have had a couple of readers/homeowners in lakeshore areas ask why septic system setbacks and requirements are based at least in part on the potential for phosphorus inputs to the lake. So it’s a good time to address the topic and useful ways service providers can discuss phosphorus with their customers.
Phosphorus is the limiting nutrient for algal growth in most freshwater lakes. Phosphorus can result in large algal blooms, sometimes resulting in development of toxic types of algae. Large blooms also affect use of the lake for swimming and fishing. Aesthetically the lake does
