Helping the Chesapeake Bay is as easy as changing your automatic dishwashing detergent!
Thanks to bills submitted by Delegates Plum, Cosgrove, and Morgan, as of July 10, 2010, dishwashing products with more than 0.5% phosphorus by weight will no longer be sold in Virginia.  The Reduce Phosphates Bill was signed by Governor Kaine in February 2008.  However, it is not too early to start using phosphate free products. 
 Many phosphate-free cleaning products are being introduced to the market.  Check them out on the Ways to Limit Phosphates & Acceptable Products page.  There are phosphate-free laundry detergents and car washing products, such as eco touch. 

Mission: To lower the amount of phsophates going into the Chesapeake Bay by only allowing automatic dishwashing detergents to be sold in Virginia that have less than or equal to 0.5% phosphates.
Please see our new section about phosphate pollution from fertilizers and recommended steps to reduce phosphate pollution every homeowner can take.  
Please visit the Phosphate Pollution from Fertilizers page. 

Some of the primary polluters of the Chesapeake Bay are phosphates and other nutrients.  It is not to late to TAKE ACTION!
 
 
High phosphate dishwashing detergents are a major cause of depleted dissolved oxygen (DO) in Virginia rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.  Fish and other aquatic life depend on DO to breathe.
 
INCREASED PHOSPHATES = DECREASED HEALTH OF RIVERS, LAKES AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
  
Maryland and Washington State have already enacted laws to limit the amount of phosphates in automatic dishwashing detergents and these laws will be enforced by 2010.
  
Interested in background information on the harmful effects of phosphates? Please go to the BACKGROUND INFORMATION PAGE.
 
Interested in ways YOU can help limit the amount of phosphates going into Virginia waters and the Chesapeake Bay? Please go to the WAYS TO LIMIT PHOSPHATES & ACCEPTABLE PRODUCTS PAGE and the  HOW TO GET INVOLVED PAGES.