Tuesday evening the Ypsilanti City Council joined nine other Huron River Communities in showing stewardship of the Huron River by passing a manufactured fertilizer ordinance. This ordinance regulates the use of fertilizers containing phosphorus on turf lawns by significantly reducing the circumstances in which phosphorus-containing fertilizers can be used.
Great job Ypsilanti, and thank you! Water quality monitoring data from HRWC and others over the past 2 years show that these ordinances have contributed to a 20-30% reduction of phosphorus in our river and streams in the middle Huron.
Other communities are also considering similar ordinances right now! Contact HRWC if you would like help proposing an ordinance for your community, or see our “Go Phosphorus Free” page in the Take Action area of our site for tips and resources on river-friendly lawn care.