Nutrients from Nursery Operations
Local nursery operations also create very important issues concerning the upper Catawba basin. Nurseries throughout the basin contribute to eutrophication by using fertilizers containing phosphates. Runoff water from local nurseries has created many environmental issues, especially with sediment and other nutrients filling into nearby streams.
Currently, agricultural practices are exempt from completing sediment and erosion control plans to keep streams flowing clean and free of excess 
debris. However, there are some federal farm governmental programs in place to benefit farm owners and encourage them to meet soil erosion control objectives to decrease runoff from their farms. Many of these agricultural operations are found near high quality waters (HQW) and outstanding resource waters (ORW). These areas are especially vulnerable to contamination by runoff water.
What Are Possible Pollutants Found in Nursery Runoff?
• Fertilizers
• Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides)
• Sediment (eroded soil)
Nurseries around the basin rely on phosphate containing fertilizers to keep crops growing. However, without proper irrigation and regulation practices during heavy rainfall these phosphates are carried by runoff water into lakes and streams causing excessive primary productivity such as algal blooms. Algal blooms result in a severe reduction of water quality by creating a lack of oxygen in the water. Native aquatic life can be negatively affected by decreased oxygen levels, which can disrupt the entire ecosystem often causing fish kills
Many pesticides are also harmful to aquatic organisms, and some are dangerous to humans. Insecticides are a particular concern because of their negative effects on aquatic insects and invertebrates. Pesticides can also leach into the soil contaminating groundwater posing a risk to humans as well.
Another important pollutant is sediment. Sediment is often regarded as the most common non-point source pollutant across the nation. Sediment not only fills lakes and streams with debris, it also acts as a carrier for pollutants such as phosphorus and pesticides. Excess sediment is caused by erosion and heavy rainfall. Developing areas are particularly susceptible to sedimentation issues.
For more information about potential pollutants in nursery runoff click here.
Ways to Prevent Pollution in Local Nurseries
The best way to prevent pollution of lakes and streams by nurseries is to implement better irrigation management practices. By determining a daily irrigation schedule overirrigation can be avoided. This saves the environment as well as reducing cost to the nursery owner. Many farmers are finding that drip irrigation systems are a better way to water their crops adequately without overirrigating.
Drip irrigation systems and slow release fertilizers are a great way to control nutrient loss to the environment. Slow release fertilizers are aimed at just the plants themselves not the entire area where plants are grown. This saves money and avoids excess nutrient content being available to be carried into local lakes and streams.
For more information about preventing nursery pollution click here.
