ELPC attorney Albert Ettinger and our environmental colleagues at Prairie Rivers led a lengthy battle resulting in an important precident-setting victory for Illinois waterways. While substantially improving Illinois regulations for one pollutant obviously does cure all of Illinois' water quality problems, winning this ammonia war is not only important in itself but should help on a number of other issues as well. The controversy was seen by all sides as a major test of resolve. Because we held our ground on ammonia, there is reason to hope that the many other necessary improvements to Illinois' enforcement of the Clean Water Act will proceed more smoothly. The fact that ELPC and other environmental organizations have proven that they are willing to fight for years and go to court if necessary to protect Illinois' waters has already helped convince the Illinois EPA to comply with the Clean Water Act on several other regulatory and permitting matters.
Ammonia is toxic to many forms of aquatic life.
In fish, ammonia affects hatching and growth rates, and it can cause changes in tissues of gills, the liver, and the kidneys. Many species of wildlife native to Illinois, such as smallmouth bass and fingernail clams, are sensitive to ammonia, and they are also an important part of the food chain for waterfowl and other wildlife. In addition to its toxicity, ammonia causes problems when it degrades, consuming oxygen needed by fish to breathe. Ammonia also degrades into nutrients that contribute to algae blooms, which further deprive waterways of oxygen. Ammonia is discharged to Illinois waters from sewage treatment plants and from such industrial sources as fertilizer manufacturers and oil refineries.