Limit your Nutrient Impact on the River

                                                                                                                          Algal bloom in Bond Creek, Beaufort County

In 1989 the North Carolina General Assembly declared the Tar-Pamlico River to be Nutrient Sensitive. In simple terms, an excessive amount of nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus are entering our waterways reeking havoc on the natural balance of the river system. While nitrogen and phosphorus are natural elements normally found in aquatic ecosystems, human impacts to the land, air and water cause an imbalance that can lead to toxic algae blooms and ultimately fish kills. For example, nitrogen in the form of ammonia emitted to the atmosphere in large amounts from North Carolina’s 2000+ industrial hog operations will fall back to the land and water, typically within 100 miles of the source.                                                                                                

The good news is there are many simple things that we can do to reduce our nutrient impact on the Tar-Pamlico River and Sound. Below is a list of activities all of us can choose to do on a regular basis that will have positive impacts on our local waterways. Ask your friends to join in with you!

  • If you must fertilize your lawn, get your soil tested first. Then apply in a sustainable manner. Click here for Tips
  • Walk or ride your bike to work.
  • Check that Septic Tank!
  • Buy local, sustainable food sources not produced at factory farms.  Eat Well Guide.
  • Maintain a healthy forested and vegetated buffer. It's not only the law, it helps reduce nitrogen export. (pdf file)
  • Sweep off the driveway, patio or sidewalk, instead of hosing it off with water. This conserves water and prevents run-off of contaminants into the river.
  • Compost or recycle your yard waste, don’t let it wash down the storm drain.
  • Plant a tree (or two). Trees can reduce many pollutants associated with rainfall runoff, holding soil in place, and slowing down stormwater. Planting and keeping trees along stream corridors will protect water quality and help to re-establish forested wetlands.
  • Build a Backyard Rain Garden.

How Our Actions Add Excess Nutrients to Our Rivers

  • Over-applying fertilizer (lawns, golf courses, farm land)
  • Applying fertilizer just before a rainstorm
  • Driving (our car exhaust releases nitrogen)
  • Industrial animal operations (emit large amounts of nitrogen to the atmosphere)
  • Industrial and municipal waste discharge
  • Failing septic tanks
  • Development. Runoff from parking lots is like Miracle Grow!
  • Aquaculture Discharge
  • Clearing river and stream banks of natural vegetation
  • Loss of Wetlands (Buffers and Wetlands are nature’s kidneys)