NEW! Phosphorus Action Plan for the Shuswap watershed

Phosphorus (P) is a non-replaceable, non-renewable mineral resource that is essential to many forms of life, and to the agriculture sector for food security. There is no substitute for it and it’s important for supporting a healthy ecosystem. But, when there are excessive amounts of phosphorus in aquatic environments it can increase algal growth, reduce water clarity, create odours, reduce the quality of water for drinking and recreation, and — in a worst-case scenario — form harmful algal blooms that are toxic to people, pets and livestock.

The purpose of the Phosphorus Action Plan is to provide guidance to everyone in the Shuswap on actions they can take to protect water quality by reducing the amount of phosphorus being released into the watershed. Additionally, the Plan summarizes the regulatory framework for P, because the use of phosphorus and the discharge of phosphorus-rich effluents is regulated in many ways. The provincial government has the most specific regulations to directly manage P and other nutrients, as well as regulating agriculture and resource management (e.g., forestry) activities in the watershed.

We are all stewards of the watershed, and we can all play a part in protecting our water quality whether we are:

• working as agriculturalists or silviculturists
• building or maintaining roads
• tending to parks, lawns and gardens
• choosing household products and minding what we flush down our drains
• properly maintaining septic systems, and more

This Plan is for all of us!

READ THE PLAN

Would you like to learn more? Check out this mini-report published by the Shuswap Watershed Council (2020): Understanding Nutrients and Water Quality in the Shuswap River and Salmon River.