Posted by Luke Quentel, on July 10, 2024.
Nutrient neutrality aims to reduce the runoff of domestic foul water from developments to protect the environment. It involves reducing the nutrient runoff on-site and offsetting it through off-site measures. Incorporating an onsite wastewater treatment plant is an effective way to reduce nutrient runoff. However, additional measures are often needed to offset the remaining impact. This can include purchasing land for forestry growth or upgrading other systems that discharge into the same water network. Nutrient neutrality is crucial for preventing algal blooms and preserving aquatic ecosystems. It is a response to the increasing awareness of the environmental impacts caused by nutrient runoff from human activities. Achieving nutrient neutrality requires a combination of reduction and offsetting efforts, such as improving treatment plant efficiency and implementing tertiary treatments like wetlands or reed beds.