Phosphates

Phosphates are minerals that act as water softeners and are among the worst of the pollutants found in detergents. Because they (the phosphates) are a nutrient and act as a fertilizer for algae, when it enters a water body it promotes the growth of plants, primarily algae. When there is an excess of nutrients, in this case the phosphates, algae blooms occur clouding the water, causing odors and creating hypoxic conditions. Even after treatment, some detergent ends up as pollution in waterways, therefore, the discharge of detergent laden water into storm drains, either through directly dumping or indirectly allowing such water to flow into those drains, furthers the problem in trying to control phosphate releases. Their use is a continuous addition to the general contamination of our water supplies.

Phosphate-free detergents are readily available and some states have banned the use of phosphates in all detergents (liquid laundry soaps usually are phosphate free) other than automatic dishwasher detergents.