PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Thornley, S.
AU  - Bos, A. W.
TI  - Effects of livestock wastes and agricultural drainage on water quality: An Ontario case study
DP  - 1985 Jan 01
TA  - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
PG  - 173--175
VI  - 40
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/40/1/173.short
4100  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/40/1/173.full
AB  - An evaluation of livestock waste management impacts on water quality was carried out in a southwestern Ontario watershed in response to frequent downstream beach closures and fish kills. The 90-square-mile study site contained more than 300 livestock farms. Bacteria and nutrient levels far exceeded provincial water quality guidelines and objectives at most sampling points. In fact, effluent from underground drainage systems even in headwater areas showed bacterial and chemical characteristics comparable to domestic sewage. A survey of 98 basin farmers showed that ignorance of the problem and economic pressures on livestock producers were major contributing factors.