The Rural Voice, 2000-07, Page 20source of contamination in
Walkerton. the industry has also been
pulled into the debate as the concern
about manure management is again
the subject of media attention.
Sam Bradshaw of Ontario Pork
said their organization has been
inolved with OFEC for many years.
"There has been a nutrient man-
agement strategy for years and if it is
followed correctly. there is little
chance of (manure) getting into the
water." he said. "We want the best
benefit without contamination.
Bradshaw points out one factor
which is rarely mentioned when fin-
gers are pointed at livestock opera-
tions — farm families live on the
properties where the manure is
spread and the livestock uses the
same water.
"The animals need clean water as
much as humans do. We are not
about to pollute our livelihood."
He does say awareness has
grown tremendously in the
last five years and he believes
farmers are doing a good job.
As for the industry, Bradshaw said
"there is a pile of research" and on-
going studies about the best way to
handle manure. One such study is
attempting to devise a better way to
incorporate and inject the manure
into the soil so it stays there, he said.
A study completed for Ontario
Pork by Komex International ana-
lyzed 50 operations with concrete liq-
uid manure tanks, located between
Chatham, Kitchener -Waterloo and
the Grey -Bruce district.
Bradshaw said the agency was
given a list of 100 farmers who
agreed to participate in the study. The
operations covered all variables from
large to small enterprises, old and
new facilities and located on a vari-
ety of soil types. Komex then select-
ed the 50 for study.
Eight showed anomalies, with old
age being the common factor.
Of those eight, Bradshaw said the
results from two sites were inconclu-
sive and three indicated plumes of
chlorides only, evidence of a past
manure presence. The chloride
plumes could be the result of a past
repair or the tank being built on the
site of an old manure storage.
The three sites which showed
nitrates, a sign of something on-
going, will receive further study very
quickly, he said. These tanks were
Are you protecting your family?
There are various steps you can take to protect
the safety of your on-farm water supply
Regardless of the most recent incident of water contami-
nation, health officials stress frequent testing of private
wells is essential to ensure safe water .
Klaus Seeger, senior public health official for the Huron
County Health Unit said all wells should be tested at least
twice a year. Dug or shallow wells, not considered good
sources of water in the best of times, should be tested at
least monthly for bacteria.
Drilled wells are better, but owners should check the
soundness of the seal and ensure ground water is running
away from the mouth of the well. More frequent testing
would allow homeowners to understand the fluctuation in
the water quality, said Seeger.
Wells lined with stone or brick are vulnerable at all times
while concrete or steel linings provide some securiiy.
Seeger also warns pool owners to not leave the hose sub-
merged in the water during fill -up, or afterwards, as it may
lead to backwash. A similar effect can be found when mix-
ing insecticides or with pipelines which run to barns from
the same well as the house.
All outdoor taps should be equipped with back-flow pre-
venters, he said. The item can be picked up at the hardware
store.
For those wanting to test their water, kits are available
through health units and some hospitals across the
province.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture also offers a base-
line water testing program. The five kits available offer
testing for inorganics (metals), gasoline and solvents, pesti-
cides, oil and diesel and bacteria. Each kit is priced sepa-
rately and can be obtained by calling 1-800-668-3276.
There are devices for home use which help minimize the
potential for contamination from various sources. They
include carbon filters, water softeners, chlorinators, ultravi-
olet lights, ceramic candles, iodinators, distillation and
ozonation, Each is effective to varying degrees for differ-
ent components. Site specific needs would have to be con-
sidered.
Health units also provides information on disinfecting
wells with step-by-step instructions.
Specifics on the amount of chlorine needed for the well
system is available from the health units.
During the process, is it important to check the water-
tight construction at the top of the well or ensure the drilled
well has a sanitary seal.
A few pails of water should be set aside for sanitary uses
such as flushing toilets as the well water should not be
used during I2 -hour treatment.
All drinking water should be boiled until a second sam-
ple is returned with favourable results. The first test should
be done three to four days after the disinfection and the
second test, a week later.
Water should be boiled for at least five minutes, allowed
to cool then poured from one container to another repeat-
edly to provide aeration and reduce the flat taste.
Food should be washed and teeth brushed with boiled or
bottled water.
For handwashing, 1.5 ounces of chlorine bleach should
be added to 10 gallons of water and allowed to sit for 10
minutes prior to use. Dip water from the main container for
use.
Adults may shower or bath as usual as long as no water
is swallowed and hands are washed with chlorinated water
afterwards. Sponge baths are recommended for children.
For information on interpreting test results or advice on
other water quality matters, health units are a valuable
resource.0
16 THE RURAL VOICE