Agricultural Pollution

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Causes:                                                                                                    Top
Agricultural Pollutants

Runoff from barnyards, feedlots and cropland carries away manure, fertilizers, ammonia, pesticides, livestock waste, oil, toxins from farm equipment, soil and sediment.
Effects:                                                                                                   Top

Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the leading source of water quality impacts to rivers and lakes. Nitrogen from fertilizers, manure, waste and ammonia turns into nitrite and nitrate. High levels of these toxins deplete waters of oxygen, killing all of the animals and fish. Nitrates also soak into the ground and end up in drinking water. Health problems can occur as a result of this and they contribute to methemeglopbinemia or blue baby syndrome which causes death in infants. Ammonia, pesticides as well as oil, degreasing agents, metals and other toxins from farm equipment harm and kill aquatic life and animals and cause health problems when they get into drinking water. Bacteria and parasites from animal waste can get into drinking water which can cause illness and death.
Solutions:                                                                                                Top
Use fertilizers sparingly. Test the soil to see the amount of fertilizer needed.
Soil Test
Don't fertilize before a rain storm.
Use organic fertilizers that release nutrients more slowly.
Use commercially available compost. Commercial compost and soil amendments may be available at solid waste or wastewater utilities as well as garden stores. 
Substitute biological methods for pesticides and never apply them near a well or water. 
Recycle oil, antifreeze, batteries, fertilizer, pesticides and other chemicals and materials as much as possible.
Control runoff from exposed soil, feedlots and barnyards so that it doesn't get into drinking water, streams and lakes.
Keep barnyards and feedlots clean, and routinely pick up livestock waste and dispose of it properly.
Maintain proper storage of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals and monitor containers for leaks.
Maintain farm equipment and monitor for leaks. Use rags to soak up oils and other chemicals when making repairs. Never let any toxic materials flow into the ground or water.