Soil Management and Fertilizer Use: Water Quality

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Soil Management and Fertilizer Use: Water Quality

Author:	OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date:	01 March 2002
Last Reviewed:	01 March 2002

Agronomy Guide > Pub 811: Soil Management and Fertilizer Use > Water Quality

Excerpt from Agronomy Guide for Field Crops (Chapter 2)

Order OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops

Introduction

Water is a valuable resource. A clean and abundant supply of water is critical to the success of a farm business and the health of the family. Others, including fish and wildlife, also share the water. It is a privilege to expect an ample supply of clean water and a responsibility to make sure the water leaving the farm is abundant and clean for the next user.

Farm operations impact water quality in many ways. Soil erosion, manure, septic system effluent, milkhouse wastes, pesticides and fuels can affect surface water quality. Nutrients, manure, pesticides and fuels moving down through the soil can affect groundwater quality.

The greatest water quality challenges affecting producers involve bacteria (from manure), nitrates and sediment. Pesticide contamination is much less of a problem. The following problems can be minimized using the practices listed.

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Bacterial Contamination

Contain runoff from manure storages, livestock yards and silos.
Avoid spreading manure on frozen or snow-covered ground.
Ensure that the water well is properly maintained and protected from surface contamination.
Properly treat or store milkhouse waste water.
Ensure that the domestic septic system is working properly and is not discharging into a drainage system.

Soil Erosion

Adopt conservation tillage practices as outlined earlier in this section.
Install erosion-control structures.

Nitrate Contamination

Complete a nutrient-management plan for the farm.
Avoid spreading excessive amounts of manure or fertilizer on a field.
Where a lot of manure and forages are used, the nitrate soil test can help to determine nitrogen requirements.
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer when the previous crop was a legume or when manure was applied (see the section Adjustments to Fertilizer Recommendations).

Pesticide Contamination

Store pesticides properly and keep as little as possible in storage.
Stay away from ditches and other sources of water when spraying.
Clean up spills quickly and thoroughly.
Be careful not to mix up more pesticide than you need.

Fuel Contamination

Store fuel away from wells, ditches, etc.
Use automatic shutoff nozzles to prevent spills.

The following OMAFRA/Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/ Ontario Federation of Agriculture booklets contain more information on water quality problems and solutions, soil conservation measures and nutrient and manure use.