Polluted Rivers and Streams are a Growing Problem
55% of rivers and streams in the United States have poor water quality, as rated by the EPA. High levels of phosphorus, Nitrogen, and excessive sediment were found in 55% of rivers in the US. These polluted rivers and steam have major impacts on our ecosystems and communities. High levels and nitrogen and phosphorus harm aquatic ecosystems in a variety of ways, including promoting algae proliferation, which, in turn, reduces the level of oxygen in the water.
with a Nature-Based Solution
They are cost-effective methods of improving water quality through the removal of pollutants, such as fertilizer and manure runoff from agricultural land, stormwater runoff from cities, and wastewater overflow from sewer systems.
Riparian Stream Buffers
Wetlands
Detention Ponds
Bioretention Ponds
On farms and ranches, protecting installing vegetated buffer strips around streams and restoring wetlands can dramatically reduce nutrient pollutants in waterways.
How We’re Helping
Studying, valuing, and identifying funding streams for green infrastructure is one of Earth Economics’ focus areas. In the face of more extreme weather events, building resilient, sustainable infrastructure is critical to improving water quality and adapting to a changing climate. We have conducted a variety of studies and proposed a wide array of nature-based solutions to communities throughout the country, including: