City Cast Madison logo
Advertisement image
May 1, 2023

Dane County’s Latest Phosphorous Fight

City Cast Madison

Dane County’s Latest Phosphorous Fight

00:00:00
View all City Cast Madison episodes

Like many things, too much of a good thing can be very, very bad for you. And the case of Madison-area lakes and rivers, too much phosphorous fertilizer has been a very bad thing: it causes stinky and hazardous algal blooms and fish kills. It’s one reason why many of our beaches get so stinky that public health has to post advisories not to swim in them. 

The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District must decide how to clean up phosphorous in its waste water. Prompted by state and federal regs, they can invest in technology to clean up more of it — or dump the treated wastewater into the Badfish Creek, which can better absorb the phosphorous. The sewer district says redirecting the water is the cheaper and easier solution.

But the problem? That water currently feeds Badger Mill Creek in the heart of Verona. And Verona Mayor Luke Diaz says the Sewer District’s plan puts their prized trout stream at risk.

Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram

Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 

Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
April 17

Extreme Weather, UW Athletics Shakeup, and Olbrich's Expansion Contested

Madison was just hammered by extreme weather — flooding, high winds, hail the size of baseballs, and possibly (maybe) even a tornado?! Ho...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
April 16

The Neighborhood Bars That Hold Madison Together

Madison has no shortage of cocktail bars and dives to satisfy your need to imbibe. But there’s something extra special about those neighb...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
April 15

How Isthmus Keeps It Real, 50 Years In

Longevity in the media industry is hard to come by. Longevity for a local alternative weekly is an even tougher task. But Isthmus has man...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
April 14

How Safe Are Our Streets?

How safe are Madison’s streets? After several high profile crashes this year, including one that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old h...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
April 13

Earth Day’s Wisconsin Connection

Did you know we wouldn’t have Earth Day if it wasn’t for the efforts of a Wisconsin senator? And that’s not all. The UW-Madison has been...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
April 12

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Portland’s Considering Hiring a Night Mayor  — Presented By City Cast Madison

Madisonians, what do you do when your night life starts to dwindle? Nightlife is a huge economic driver for cities, but city offices are...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
April 10

UW System President Ousted, Men's Shelter Update, and Another Round For Essen Haus

This week, the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted to fire its president, Jay Rothman. The regents say this has been a long...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
April 9

What’s New in Madison’s Restaurant Scene This Spring

From Ba Lao to Friends Applaud, there are so many new restaurants in the Madison area to check out this spring. In her recent Cap Times...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
April 8

2026 Wisconsin Spring Election Results

Last night’s election results are in! More than 50% of registered voters in Dane County turned out to the polls, and it was a good night...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
April 7

It’s Time to Vote! Plus, Get Psyched for Summer Sports, and RIP Tone Madison

Happy Election Day, Madison! We’re wrapping up our election primers today with a breakdown of the contested Madison City Council races. P...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art