The Phosphorus Detergent Ban
- Published:
- June 19, 2000
- Originator:
- Chesapeake Bay Program
- Categorized in:
- Report
The phosphorus detergent ban was implemented in the Bay signatory jurisdictions in the mid to late eighties. After the ban's implementation, it became clear that the ban resulted in a significant reduction of discharge in phosphorus from wastewater treatment plants, the ban did not cost the consumer money, and the ban often resulted in O & M cost savings for the wastewater treatment plants. Phosphorus bans limit, to trace amounts, the amount of phosphorus that can be used in detergents and other cleaning products. The P ban resulted watershed wide in a reduction of influent P concentrations of 25-30% to wastewater treatment plants. Phosphorus loads to the bay declined by 6 million pounds per year between 1985-1996.