The impact of farmstead operation on groundwater quality

This paper describes groundwater pollution by solutes and especially with nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, from particular farm sites. The hot spots, which are mainly responsible for the farm input to the groundwater pollution, have been identified. These include: (a) the farmstead and its vicinity together with places for the deposition and storage of animal wastes and the resulting organic fertilizers, e.g. animal housing and sheds, silage storage facilities; (b) unused farm wells; and (c) intensively used pastures with excessive animal stock. It is concluded that in agricultural production an excess of unused nutrients at the farm causes its dispersion to the environment including leaching to groundwater. Use of the best management practices is the best way to prevent these threats to groundwater quality.