Scientist disputes Lake Winnipeg cleanup plan

One of Canada's leading freshwater scientists says Manitoba is squandering millions of dollars on a plan to clean up Lake Winnipeg.

David Schindler said the province is wasting cash trying to remove nitrogen from the lake when phosphorus is the real culprit.

Schindler, a University of Alberta professor, said phosphorus is feeding the blue-green algae blooms that are threatening one of Canada's largest lakes.

The province has ordered Winnipeg to cut nitrogen runoff by spending $350 million to upgrade its wastewater treatment facilities. But money spent on removing nitrogen will go to waste, Schindler told councillors at a Tuesday meeting at Winnipeg City Hall. He was speaking at the invitation of city officials.

"[The] $350,000 a year that's going to be spent would be better spent getting more of the phosphorous sources," Schindler said.

"Coming out of the same taxpayers, spend the money for controlling phosphorous, not this nitrogen nonsense."

Provincial officials are basing their demands on outdated science, Schindler said.

But Terry Sargent, head of Manitoba's Clean Environment Commission, said targeting nitrogen still makes sense.

He said high levels of nitrogen are harmful to the lake and reducing them isn't a waste of money.