Managing Groundwater Nitrate Contamination from Livestock Farms: Implication for Nitrate Management Guidelines

Abstract

Significant nitrate contamination of groundwater has been observed in various parts of the world; intensive livestock farming is one of the major causes. This paper reviews various guidelines/regulations, which have been developed in advanced countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe to combat this problem by designing effective monitoring and management programs. Monitoring programs deal mainly with selection of sites, number of monitoring wells, specific parameters, and sampling frequency, which are helpful for identifying the source and extend of the contamination. Management programs deal with selection of suitable location, site characterization, proximity of livestock facilities and drinking wells, and proper storage, maintenance of the facilities, and limits of manures application in order to minimize nitrate leaching into groundwater. The main aim of this paper is to help states/countries, which do not have any guideline, and consulting engineers/consultants/owners of livestock operation in the design of effective strategies for point source nitrate management.