After a 37-year experiment, University of Alberta scientist David Schindler says there is no point removing nitrogen from the Lake Winnipeg watershed when phosphorus is the key pollutant causing potentially deadly blue-green algae blooms.

Schindler's research compiled from the Experimental Lakes Area east of Kenora, Ontario suggests nitrogen removal will fail to control blue-green algae blooms and will in fact encourage growth. Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board recommends reducing phosphorus concentration to 1mg/L and removing nitrogen only if necessary.

Water and sewage bills are expected to double by the middle of next decade and Winnipeggers, politicians and scientists are questioning the logic of a costly nitrogen removal process. Schindler recommends treatment should focus on phosphorus removal to stop the degradation of Lake Winnipeg.