Nitrate Watch

Nitrate—made up of nitrogen and oxygen—naturally occurs in the environment and is an essential nutrient for plants. Human activities, including fertilizer use, animal waste, and septic systems, can lead to increased levels of nitrate in the environment that makes its way into our streams, lakes, and groundwater through runoff. Excess nitrate in water can lead to significant environmental and human health problems.

The Nitrate Watch program is designed to monitor nitrate levels in streams throughout the Green Lake Watershed to learn more about potential nutrient hotspots. Volunteers will need to test the same stream location multiple times between the months of April and October. If you have questions about the stream locations listed on the RSVP form, please contact Taylor Haag, our Watershed Engagement Manager, at taylor@greenlakeassociation.org.