Restricting Phosphorus Content in Fertilizers Used in Urban and Rural Residential Areas

The Nutrient Management Regulation under the Water Protection Act came into effect on March 18, 2008 (see news release), and was amended on June 27, 2008 (see news release) to limit the phosphorus content in fertilizers used in urban and built-up areas.

Effective January 1, 2009, within nutrient management zone N5 (urban and built up areas), no one shall apply a fertilizer to turf containing more than 1 per cent phosphorus by weight, expressed as P₂O₅. An exception to this restriction includes newly established turf during the year of establishment as well as the year following establishment.

Phosphorus-containing fertilizers can be applied provided that the soil test phosphorus level:

• is less than 60 ppm on land used to grow grass for sale as sod,
• is less than 30 ppm on land used as a sports facility, or
• is less than 18 ppm on land used neither to grow grass for sale as sod or as a sports facility

Flowerbeds, gardens, trees and shrubs are excluded from the phosphorus restrictions.

In addition, no one shall apply or allow the escape of a substance containing nitrogen or phosphorus onto a paved or other impervious surface within nutrient management zone N5. Should this occur, the individual must immediately take all reasonable steps to remove the substance so that it does not drain into a storm or sewage drainage system.

Background

Manitoba Water Stewardship proposed a number of approaches in August 2007 to reduce nutrient contributions from fertilizer applications and household cleaning products in urban and rural residential areas.  A series of open houses were held in five communities across the province in September 2007.  An overview of the information obtained from the open houses is summarized in a report entitled "What You Told Us - Proposed Approaches to Reducing Nutrient Contributions from Urban and Rural Residential Sources and individual comments are also available electronically. Hardcopy is available at public registries located across Manitoba.