What EPA is Doing
EPA is working diligently with its partners to combat the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution problems in the U.S., including:
- Providing states with technical guidance and resources to help them develop water quality criteria for nitrogen and phosphorus as part of their water quality standards regulations for surface waters.
- Working with states to identify waters with nitrogen and phosphorus pollution and to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) to restore the waters by limiting allowable nutrient inputs.
- Awarding grants to states for operating nonpoint source management programs.
- Administering a permit program that restricts the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus released to the environment from point sources.
- Providing funding for the construction and upgrading of municipal wastewater facilities and the implementation of nonpoint source pollution control and estuary protection projects.
- Working with its state and federal partners on the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Taskforce to reduce hypoxia.
- Conducting and/or supporting research on nitrogen and phosphorus pollution-related topics.
- Working to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions through emissions standards, the NOx trading program and the acid rain program.
- Helping states reduce air pollution and attain clean air standards and manage interstate air pollution from power plants.
EPA Efforts in the Regions
Click on the map to learn more about efforts to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in your Region.
EPA Numeric Nutrient Criteria Strategy
In 1998, EPA outlined a Numeric Nutrient Strategy to describe the approach that EPA would follow to develop nutrient information and work with the states and tribes to adopt numeric nutrient criteria.
In 2001, EPA developed a memo that provided additional guidance to states and authorized tribes for developing nutrient criteria plans, the role of the plans, flexibility available, and EPA’s expectations for the time frame to develop a plan and adopt nutrient criteria into water quality standards. Then, in 2007, EPA developed a memo to provide a national update on the development of numeric nutrient water quality standards and describe EPA’s commitment to accelerating the pace of progress.
In 2008, EPA published "State Adoption of Numeric Nutrient Standards 1998–2008". This document was the first national report on progress made by the states in adopting numeric nutrient water quality standards (WQS). EPA recognized the urgency of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution by forming the EPA Nutrient Innovations Task Group (NITG) to focus on reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in U.S. waters. In 2009, the NITG published a report that focused on drawing attention to the need for nutrient reduction strategies.
- An Urgent Call to Action: Report of the State-EPA Nutrient Innovations Task Group
- Nutrient Innovations Task Group, Report Fact Sheet
In 2011, EPA published a memorandum reaffirming its commitment to partnering with states and stakeholders to address nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. This memorandum presents a framework that states can use to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution while developing numeric criteria. The framework provides for: prioritizing watersheds on a statewide basis for nitrogen and phosphorus loading reductions, ensuring effectiveness of point sources permits, integrating innovative approaches onto agricultural practices, identifying and using government tools to assure reductions in stormwater and septic systems, verifying that load reductions are in place and the measures implemented are effective, and developing a plan for adoption of numeric nutrient criteria.