What's New

Runoff pollution threatens 90 percent of Wisconsin's lakes. This pollution can result in massive algae blooms, weeds and fish kills.

The state is considering stronger rules to reduce the pollution and protect our waterways. The rules would:

• Reduce excessive manure spreading near rural waterways; and

• Ensure that cities control their runoff to prevent toxic chemicals from flowing straight into lakes and streams.
  

Take Action

If the state doesn't enact new rules this summer, we'll have to start the process all over again.

Click here to send a message to state lawmakers, telling them to stand up for Wisconsin's lakes now.

Background

When we find our lakes and streams covered with algae or choked with weeds, or hear about sewage overflows and fish kills, the culprit is most often runoff pollution -- the sediment, manure, fertilizer and other pollutants from agriculture, sewers and roads that wash into our waterways.

Runoff pollution threatens 90 percent of Wisconsin's inland lakes.

And the number of factory farms in Wisconsin has tripled in the last decade, greatly increasing the threat of manure spills.

The specific measures we're calling on our lawmakers to enact include:

• Reducing pollution near waterways by using the total daily maximum load standard;

• Ensuring excessive chemicals and manure are not spread on fields, by establishing a phosphorous standard for soils; and

• Reducing harmful sewage discharges.