 |
|
|
 |
                  |
 |
| September 18, 2009 |
Aquatic Health, Water Education, Water Quality & Quantity, Watershed Planning |
Health Ills Abound as Farm Runoff Fouls Wells
Toxic Waters is a series the New York Times is running "about the worsening pollution in American water and regulators' response."
The following is their latest story:
MORRISON, Wis. — All it took was an early thaw for the drinking water here to become unsafe.
There are 41,000 dairy cows in Brown County, which includes Morrison, and they produce more than 260 million gallons of manure each year, much of which is spread on nearby grain fields. Other farmers receive fees to cover their land with slaughterhouse waste and treated sewage.
In measured amounts, that waste acts as fertilizer. But if the amounts are excessive, bacteria and chemicals can flow into the ground and contaminate residents’ tap water.
In Morrison, more than 100 wells were polluted by agricultural runoff within a few months, according to local officials. As parasites and bacteria seeped into drinking water, residents suffered from chronic diarrhea, stomach illnesses and severe ear infections.
[The information presented in News & Announcements has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, although its accuracy is not guaranteed. The views expressed in items posted to News & Announcements do not necessarily reflect those of the Montana Water Center or its employees.]