A Compilation of Cost Data Associated with the Impacts and Control of Nutrient Pollution

The capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs for nitrogen and phosphorus were found to vary based on numerous factors, including the types of treatment technologies and controls used and the scale of the plant (Section IV. [...] Stakeholders and partners at the federal, state, tribal and local levels need a better understanding of the cost implications of nutrient pollution, including both the external costs borne by local economies and the costs that would be incurred to curtail nutrient pollution. [...] The assessment of the actual costs associated with the impacts of nutrient pollution, as well as the costs for controlling the pollution, are site specific and depend on numerous factors, such as the characteristics of the waterbody/watershed (e.g., geographic location, type of waterbody, level of impairment, nutrient sources) and the form of the nutrient criteria (narrative4 vs. [...] What is the scope of this report? This report compiles data and information from the technical literature related to the economic impacts of nutrient pollution (i.e., the external costs associated with not taking or delaying action to reduce nutrients in receiving waters, resulting in negative impacts such as economic losses and increased costs) and the costs associated with the control of nutrien. [...] In accordance with the EPA’s policies, the QAPP ensured the quality and reproducibility of the data collected and subsequently used for this report.