What does "Nutrient Management" aim to achieve in stormwater management?

Nutrient management plays a vital role in stormwater management by specifically aiming to reduce nutrient runoff from both agricultural and urban areas. This is crucial because excessive nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to water quality issues such as algal blooms, which harm aquatic ecosystems and degrade the quality of drinking water.

Effective nutrient management strategies include practices like soil testing, proper application rates of fertilizers, and efficient stormwater management practices that minimize runoff. By controlling the amount of nutrients that enter waterways, nutrient management helps maintain the ecological balance, supports aquatic life, and meets water quality standards set by environmental regulations.

This focus on water quality protection differentiates nutrient management from other objectives related to agricultural expansion, urban development, or solely enhancing aesthetic properties, which do not directly address the critical issue of nutrient pollution and its impact on water resources.