ILMA Compoundings August 2016 - 36

POWER PLAY

Phosphorus Concerns in the
Great Lakes Region
Daniel T. Bryant

he level of phosphorus
in the Great Lakes
Region continues to
receive significant attention at
the national, state and local levels. The high concentrations
of phosphorus in Lake Erie has led to increased algae
blooms that have impacted drinking water supplies
and recreational activities in the summer months. The
situation got so dire two years ago that citizens around
Toledo, Ohio, were unable to drink water produced from
Lake Erie for several days. Fertilizers and livestock manure
from farms in the Midwest are the primary generators
of the type of phosphorus that feed the harmful algae,
although sewage from urban treatment plants and failed
septic tanks also contribute to the problem.
The U.S. and Canadian governments are addressing
the issue jointly through the Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement. Additionally, Midwestern states, such as Ohio,
are looking to take state-level action to combat phosphorus
levels. Further, mayors of affected Midwestern cities have also
come together.
At present, it is unclear what measures the federal government
and Midwestern states ultimately will take to reduce
phosphorus levels. As many ILMA members use phosphoruscontaining antiwear additives in engine oils or are potentially
exploring extreme-pressure additive alternatives to mediumand long-chain chlorinated paraffins in certain metalworking
fluids, this regulatory development could pose challenges for
some members and their customers in the Great Lakes Region.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) was
originally signed by the United States and Canada in 1972. It
was subsequently amended and updated in 1983, 1987 and
2012. The GLWQA provides a framework for the two nations
to address the "chemical, physical and biological integrity"
of one of the world's largest fresh water supplies. It outlines
principles, approaches and objectives to accomplish the goals
of pollution abatement and prevention.

Currently, Canada and the United States have agreed to target
reductions and must craft implementation plans by February
2018 to achieve a 40 percent reduction in phosphorus in the
Great Lakes region (compared to 2008 levels). However, there
is currently no firm deadline by which those reductions must
be achieved.

Ohio and Other Midwest States' Activities
In addition to activities on the national level, several
Midwestern states have taken their own initiatives to craft plans.
Ohio's new state plan, similar to the GLWQA, seeks to cut
the amount of phosphorus entering Lake Erie by 40 percent
(compared to 2008 levels). However, Ohio currently sets a
concrete deadline of 2025 to achieve those reductions. Ohio
intends to look closely at the western part of Lake Erie as the
water is particularly shallow there and, thus, more prone to
algae growth. Additionally, the state will look at water treatment
plants and areas particularly susceptible to erosion as avenues
to reduce phosphorus entering Lake Erie.

Vol. 66 No. 8 * 36 * August 2016 Compoundings

ILMA Compoundings August 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ILMA Compoundings August 2016