Pollution

The greatest factor affecting the overall health of the James River and its fish, wildlife and important habitats is pollution. There are many kinds of pollution damaging the James River, such as bacteria, toxins and heavy metals, but the most pervasive forms are sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen. These three forms of pollution cause varied and widespread problems for the river ecosystem and human health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Virginia have established specific limits for the amount of sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen pollution that can enter the James River on an average basis and still have a healthy river. JRA tracks the amount of pollution entering the river each year based on monitoring data. JRA measures progress toward the established pollution limits using a 10-year rolling average that removes the influence of annual weather variations and therefore better reflects actual pollution controls.

Sediment Pollution Reduction - 49%
(3% 2-year change)

Sediment pollution continues to have widespread impacts throughout the James River system. These impacts include silting in critical stream and river habitat,as well as clouding the water and blocking sunlight from underwater grasses. Major sources include barren construction sites and plowed farm fields. Large amounts of sediment pollution are also caused by developed areas where impervious surfaces, such as parking lots, roads and rooftops, increase the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff overwhelming local streams and creeks and causing stream bank erosion.

Sediment pollution in the James River has been relatively low in recent years. In 2008, sediment pollution was below the total limit established by the US EPA and the state, but James River flows that year were nearly half of historical levels due to low rainfall. Taking into account annual variations in rainfall, the long term average for sediment pollution has improved slightly over the past two years to 49% of the pollution reductions needed to meet the goals for the James River.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Pollution

Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients that help plants grow, but the James River is being overfed. Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from sewage, manure, fertilizer and air pollution fuel algae growth that blocks sunlight from vital underwater grasses and displaces healthy plankton that are critical food for fish and other aquatic life. Some types of algae can also become toxic to aquatic life and even to humans. As algae die and decompose they can create “dead zones” where little oxygen is available to support aquatic life.

Phosphorus Pollution Reductions – 94%
(-2% 2-Year Change)

In eight of the past ten years, phosphorus pollution levels in the James River have been below the phosphorus limit, with 2008 being the lowest on record. As a result, the long-term, adjusted average shows that 94% of the needed
pollution reductions have been achieved. Much of this pollution reduction was accomplished through upgraded wastewater treatment and the phosphate detergent ban in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Phosphorus reductions have slowed in recent years showing the need for additional effort in order to meet the goal.

Nitrogen Pollution Reduction – 47%
(-10% 2-Year Change)

Nitrogen pollution entering the James River has remained above the limit in all but four years. The long-term, adjusted average shows that 47% of the reductions have been achieved and like phosphorus pollution controls, little progress has been made in recent years despite substantial investments in additional wastewater treatment upgrades. This indicates the need to ensure that new sources of pollution, such as new development, do not undermine progress made in other areas.