Surface Waters Concerns have several sub-sections:
- Phosphates in surface water as and environmental concern
- Runoff of surface water as an environmental concern
- Direct access of animals to surface water as an environmental concern
Material From Original Gov't Discussion Paper
[ Intro to Surface waters as a concern from original discussion papersource#1, "Other Concerns" section p. 2-3 ]Surface water is the source of drinking water for nearly 80 per cent of our population. Many communities also rely on surface supplies for fire protection, sewage disposal, electrical power plants, irrigation, livestock production and other industrial and municipal purposes.
Livestock operations can affect water quality if manure and urine are allowed to enter surface waters, either through runoff or direct access of livestock:
- Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can stimulate large algae growths, known as blooms, in rivers and lakes. In addition to being unsightly, blooms of certain species may be toxic to livestock and wildlife. Algae blooms eventually die and their subsequent decay removes dissolved oxygen from the water. This can result in fish kills and obnoxious odours which impair recreational values.
- Ammonia in manure-contaminated runoff may be toxic to fish and other aquatic life.
- Decay of organic matter removes dissolved oxygen from the water, and can result in fish kills and obnoxious odours.
- Pathogens may be present and may pose a risk to livestock, wildlife and humans that may drink or come into contact with downstream waters.
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Material From "Common Ground" Government Report
Other Material and References