Fertilizer Runoff and Drinking Water

Summary

In 2014, Toledo, Ohio's water supply was cut off due to toxins from nitrogen-based fertilizer runoff, a growing problem in the U.S. Midwest. Fertilizer runoff contaminates drinking water, especially in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. While technical solutions exist, including best practices for fertilizer use and riparian zones, political and economic barriers hinder progress. A proposed solution includes a fertilizer certification program for farmers, incentivizing participation through waived fees, discounted crop insurance, and support for environmental practices like creating riparian zones. This model promotes sustainable agriculture and cleaner water.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 2014, Toledo, Ohio, faced a water crisis when nearly 290,000 residents were cut off from their water supply due to toxic algal blooms caused by nitrogen contamination in Lake Erie.
• 😀 Nitrogen contamination from agricultural runoff is a growing problem across the U.S., particularly in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, impacting both water quality and public health.
• 😀 The Upper Mississippi River Basin is critical to U.S. agriculture, producing over 50% of the nation's corn and 41% of its soybean exports.
• 😀 Nitrogen-based fertilizers, while boosting crop yields, often exceed soil absorption capacity, leading to runoff that contaminates water systems, especially during heavy rainfall.
• 😀 Despite widespread recognition of the problem, only about 35% of U.S. cropland follows USDA best practices for fertilizer application, leaving room for improvement.
• 😀 The USDA has developed three main best practices for fertilizer use: applying the right amount, timing, and method to minimize runoff and nitrogen loss.
• 😀 Riparian zones, strips of forested land along rivers and streams, are a key strategy to filter excess fertilizer and prevent water contamination.
• 😀 A solution to address nitrogen contamination involves creating a Fertilizer Certification Program that would train farmers on best practices and require certification for fertilizer purchases.
• 😀 A 'Climate Club' model would incentivize farmers by offering waived fees for certification and discounted crop insurance in exchange for participating in sustainable farming practices.
• 😀 Participating farmers in the Climate Club would also be required to set aside riparian zones on their property and reforest them to naturally filter nitrogen runoff.
• 😀 Collaboration between farmers, the USDA, and state governments can help create a sustainable framework to reduce water contamination while supporting agriculture and improving water quality.

Q & A

What caused the water supply crisis in Toledo, Ohio in 2014?

In 2014, Toledo's water supply was contaminated by toxins from harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, which resulted from excess nitrogen runoff. This crisis affected the city's nearly 290,000 residents.

Where else in the United States is nitrogen contamination of water a significant issue?

Nitrogen contamination is especially prominent in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, which includes large areas of agricultural land, and is a major source of fertilizer runoff affecting water supplies.

Why is nitrogen-based fertilizer widely used in agriculture despite its environmental impact?

Nitrogen-based fertilizers are relatively inexpensive and significantly increase agricultural yields. However, when used in excess, the excess nitrogen can run off into nearby water bodies, causing contamination.

What happens to the excess nitrogen fertilizer applied to farmland?

Excess nitrogen fertilizer either runs off the land during heavy rainfall or seeps through drainage systems beneath the soil, ultimately ending up in rivers and streams, where it can contaminate drinking water.

What are the primary solutions already being implemented to address fertilizer runoff and water contamination?

Some solutions include the USDA's best practices for fertilizer application, such as applying the right amount, timing, and method of application. These practices aim to reduce fertilizer runoff into waterways.

How widely are the USDA’s fertilizer best practices being used in the U.S.?

Currently, only about 35% of cropland in the U.S. follows the USDA's fertilizer best practices, meaning there is significant room for wider implementation.

What is the challenge preventing the widespread adoption of solutions to fertilizer-related water contamination?

The challenge lies in cost-benefit analyses and political resistance, as stakeholders often need to weigh the costs of implementing solutions against the perceived benefits, making widespread adoption slower.

What is the proposed solution to incentivize farmers to reduce fertilizer runoff?

The proposed solution includes a two-part approach: a mandatory fertilizer certification program for farmers and the creation of a 'climate club' that provides benefits such as discounted crop insurance for those who adopt sustainable farming practices.

What would the fertilizer certification program involve for farmers?

The certification program would require farmers to attend training on fertilizer best practices, and upon completion, they would receive a license that they must provide when purchasing fertilizer.

How would the 'climate club' benefit farmers who join?

Farmers who join the 'climate club' would receive benefits like waived certification fees, cheaper crop insurance, and support for reforesting riparian zones on their property, which help filter out nitrogen runoff from agricultural land.