Livestock & Water Pollution
Table of Contents
Introduction
There are a variety of ways that farming pollutes our water ways. This page explores these pollution sources, and ways that we can help combat the problem to protect the waters that we drink and use for recreation.
The following causes of water pollution are listed alphabetically, rather than by severity of impact. The organization may change as we find more data.
Crop Fertilizer Contamination
PFAS in Fertilizers
Wastewater sludge used to produce livestock feed has been found to contain PFAS.
PFAS are a dangerous "forever chemicals that have been found to bioaccumulate in animals meat, milk, and eggs. They can last basically "forever" because their chemical bonds are so hard to break down.
There are some extremely slow or expensive ways to break down PFAS with high temperatures or allowing wetland plants to absorb them, then burning the plant matter.
Researchers are working hard to find methods to destroy PFAS, but for now the recommended advice for farmers, is to cull their contaminated animals, instead of letting the toxic chemicals harm their customers.
Click the PFAS button to learn more about the sources of PFAS, it's affects on people, what products to avoid or consider switching to avoid PFAS contamination.
Click the PFAS Cleanup button to learn about how PFAS can be removed from water, soil, and even human bodies.
Erosion
Hoof Action In & Around Waterways
Cattle have a habit of congregating around and in waterways where their hooves dislodge the soil. Over time the soil and plant roots holding it together become so damaged the soil ends up being washed away, causing significant erosion over time. Nutrient loss on land coincides with waterway pollution from livestock allowed to roam too close. - Cattle Destroy Streams
Overgrazing
When livestock are allowed to overgraze an area, they damage the plants that would otherwise protect the soil and prevent erosion. The Middle East is a prime example of how once-fertile lands can be turned to desert wastelands, suffering even thousands of years after herders started roaming the area.
On small islands and mountainous areas, the effects of overgrazing can be the most obvious in a shorter time span, causing extinction of native plants and the animals that rely on them. After enough plant life has been lost, the bare earth becomes prone to erosion and even potentially-deadly landslides.
Manure Run Off
Affects on Drinking Water
Disease & Water-Bourne Illness
In countries like Australia, farmers have been issued licenses to graze their cattle too close to waterways. This had led to dangerous microbes being found in Victoria residents' drinking water. - Cattle Dung Threatens Drinking Water Supplies
In many countries including the UK and New Zealand, water pollution from livestock manure is so extreme that it is no longer safe to swim, fish, or drink from waterways. There have been reports of pets dying after swimming in once-popular swimming locations, and flesh-eating bacteria as well as brain-eating amoeba are on the rise as livestock farming continues to grow.
Nitrites
These come from animal waste, and can cause illness in humans at any age. However they are most dangerous to pregnant women and babies. When formula is made with nitrite-contaminated water, they can develop blue baby syndrome, which is when babies turn blue after their blood is no long able to carry oxygen. This can be fatal if not treated in time.
"According to state estimates, nitrate is at unsafe levels in an estimated 94,000 Wisconsin households. One in five wells in heavily agricultural areas is now too polluted with nitrate for safe drinking, according to data from the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection." - Nitrate in Water Widespread, Current Rules No Match for It
Dead Zones
These are natural phenomenon, however they are becoming much bigger and more frequent thanks to climate change and agricultural pollution.
The second largest dead zone in the world is in the Gulf of Mexico. It has been linked to the meat industry, which relies on farms throughout the central states, from fields of feed, and factory farms, to slaughterhouses which also dump dangerous amounts of pollution into waterways. At the end of the pollution's journey down the Mississippi river, the water overwhelms the Gulf Coast, killing off fisheries, dolphins, turtles, and their ecosystems.
Europe
UK
"Some farm businesses pollute waterways by spreading excess animal waste on their land. When it rains, this runs off into local rivers, causing nutrient pollution and in severe cases, ecosystem collapse. Natural England recently downgraded the status of the River Wye, a designated special area of conservation, due to a decline of key species. The decline is due partly to large quantities of manure being washed into the river from nearby farms." - Loophole Lets Farmers Pollute England’s Rivers with Excess Manure – Report
North America
USA
"The amount of animal waste produced by livestock and poultry in factory farms is almost 13 times more than that produced by the entire US population. ...
... Livestock manure, unlike human waste, is not treated before it is disposed of. The untreated manure emits airborne chemicals and fumes, and when runoff occurs, dangerous pollutants enter our waterways. ..." - FoodPrint: What Happens to Animal Waste?
Oceana
Australia
Cattle dung and manure have found their way into the drinking water of Victorians. - Cattle Dung Threatens Drinking Water Supplies
New Zealand
Dairy farming is polluting New Zealand’s water to the point that 60% of rivers and lakes are no longer safe to swim in. - Dairy Farming is Polluting New Zealand’s Water
Livestock Emissions Cause Acidification
Ammonia and nitrogen oxide produce acid rain, which impacts soil and water.
Acidification Harms Aquatic Ecosystems
Acidification of aquatic ecosystems harms corals, crustaceans, and many other species including the casings for their eggs.
Manure Lagoons
Manure lagoons are used to store animal waste including dead bodies until the "slurry" is ready to be sprayed over fields.
Unfortunately these can leach into ground water, or overflow into neighborhoods and bodies of water during major storm events or heavy rains.
Sheep Dip
In addition to their manure and erosion from their hooves causing water pollution, just like cattle and other hooved livestock, sheep are also prone to parasites that have historically required toxic "sheep dip" to protect the animals.
Some of the most toxic ingredients have been banned, but they persist in our soils and ground water for decades after. The modern versions aren't much better, but there are alternatives farmers can use to help protect humans and the environment.
Slaughter Houses & Meat Processors
Solutions
Farmer Actions
Livestock Alternatives
These can help farmers transition to more sustainable business models, while continuing to make a sustainable income.
Since farming uses almost half of Earth's habitable land, and livestock using around 77% of farmland, reducing their impact by switching to alternatives can help us reduce how much land we even need to sustain our species, at the same time giving us extra space to let nature do her many jobs.
Riparian Zones
Riparian Zone Buffer Benefits on Farms
4:01 minute video interview with a farmer about their reasons for adding a riparian zone around their hog farm.
Riparian areas help protect soil and waterways while boosting biodiversity. Click the Riparian Areas button to learn more.
Click the Trees button to find out what types of programs and grants are available in your area.
Consumer Actions
Eating less livestock products can help prevent further degradation of these habitats.
Civic
Contact your local leaders to let them know you support the end of livestock subsidies, as well as programs that help support crop farmers, such as educational programs, grants, and anything else that can help farmers pay the bills while protecting our waterways.
Make sure to vote on these same issues any chance you get!
Organizations
North America
USA
Chesapeake Bay Foundation "Our state programs and projects around the watershed working toward clean, healthy waters and a saved Bay."
Maryland
Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Maryland Programs & Initiatives "From training advocates to supporting farmers and on-the-ground restoration work, see what we're working on in Maryland."
Mountains to Bay Grazing Alliance "The Mountains-to-Bay (M2B) Grazing Alliance brings together private and public partners to promote the implementation of rotational grazing and related conservation practices and to increase the number of pasture-based livestock operations in the Bay watershed portions of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The program connects current and new grazing farmers, providing outreach and technical assistance in the form of farmer-to-farmer mentoring, on-farm demonstrations, a quarterly newsletter, and other peer-to-peer experiences."
Pennsylvania
Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Pennsylvania Programs & Initiatives "From supporting farmers to training community members, learn how we're fighting for clean water in Pennsylvania."
Mountains to Bay Grazing Alliance "The Mountains-to-Bay (M2B) Grazing Alliance brings together private and public partners to promote the implementation of rotational grazing and related conservation practices and to increase the number of pasture-based livestock operations in the Bay watershed portions of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The program connects current and new grazing farmers, providing outreach and technical assistance in the form of farmer-to-farmer mentoring, on-farm demonstrations, a quarterly newsletter, and other peer-to-peer experiences."
Virginia
Mountains to Bay Grazing Alliance "The Mountains-to-Bay (M2B) Grazing Alliance brings together private and public partners to promote the implementation of rotational grazing and related conservation practices and to increase the number of pasture-based livestock operations in the Bay watershed portions of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The program connects current and new grazing farmers, providing outreach and technical assistance in the form of farmer-to-farmer mentoring, on-farm demonstrations, a quarterly newsletter, and other peer-to-peer experiences."
Maps
International
World Hypoxic and Eutrophic Coastal Areas Includes a global map of "documented hypoxic areas", "areas of concern", and "systems in recovery"
Europe
UK
The River Trust: Is My River Fit to Play In? "This map shows where the sewerage network discharges treated sewage and overflows of untreated sewage and storm water into rivers in England & Wales in 2022. Please note, we are still waiting for spill data from Hafren Dyfrdwy (Severn Trent) in Wales."
North America
USA
The Mississippi River Basin "divided into six sub-basins in color..." Scroll down to see.
Slaughterhouses are Polluting Our Waterways interactive map
Who Are The Top Toxic Water Polluters in Your State? Scroll down for the full list, and click the arrow under the list to find your state. Some of the worst polluters are livestock related, including meat-processing plants.
North Carolina
Grants
International
Farmed Animal Funders "Our group is open to all individuals and foundations giving more than $250,000 per year to end factory farming."
North America
USA
Eat The Change "ETC Impact™ is a grant program working to promote and expand access to climate-friendly foods. We're donating more than $1.25 million over three years to support a diverse group of changemaking nonprofit organizations."
Vegan Hacktivists: Grants "We connect you with funders providing up to $1,000 USD in seed funding for animal rights activism! We seek individual and grassroots groups whose primary purpose is to help reduce suffering for farmed animals."
Minnesota
Capital Project Grants "are designed to support final engineering and construction of large-scale, innovative projects that protect or improve water quality and habitat within the MWMO watershed. The MWMO provides both technical and financial assistance to eligible projects. (Smaller-scale projects may be eligible for a Stewardship Fund Grant.)"