November 25, 2019: The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is pleased to announce the first slag filter cartridge installation in the upper Thames watershed. This innovative demonstration project in the Upper Medway Creek watershed is funded by the Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative.

“A removable cartridge will be installed at the outlet of a tile drain. The cartridge will be filled with slag, which is a by-product of the steel manufacturing industry,” said Mike Funk, Agricultural Soil & Water Quality Technician at the UTRCA.

“This project aims to reduce soluble reactive phosphorus in water from agricultural field tiles. Phosphorus in tile water will bind to the slag through a chemical reaction, removing it from the water,” said Brad Glasman, UTRCA Manager of Conservation Services.

The UTRCA is committed to reducing phosphorus loading in the Thames River, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Erie.

Project Partners: Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaboration, Stelco, McCutcheon Farm Drainage, Bluewater Pipe, MacFarlane Farm, and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaboration
The warming effects of climate change, combined with pressures from phosphorus loading means we need to act now to ensure Lake Erie continues to thrive in the coming years.

Contact: Mike Funk, Agricultural Soil & Water Quality Technician, or Steve Sauder, Marketing Specialist