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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-11-25, Page 30Valleys & People - Fall 1987 -- Page 6 MVCA Mariure Management Program Working towards cleaner water Beginning in the early 1980's a disturb- ing trend appeared across Southern On- tario. An increasing number of beaches were being posted as unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria or algae levels. in re- sponse to this problem the Ministry of the Environment established the Provincial Rural Beaches Management Strategy. Currently nine conservation authorities including the MVCA have undertaken Beaches programs to improve water quality in their watersheds. The Maitland Rural Beaches Manure Management Program was established in 1986 to study rural sources of pollution. One of the objectives of the program is to reduce bacterial pollution from agricul- tural sources by promoting better live- stock manure and waste management practices. Agriculture has changed significantly in recent decades. Livestock farms have in- tensified with greater numbers of animals confined on one farm. This often results in an increased pollution potential. Improperly managed livestock manure extent of the water quality problem and promoting alternative practices. This was accomplished through farm visits, water quality monitoring and by conducting, an information -education program. Com- pleted studies have indicated that runoff from solid manure storages, inadequate disposal of milkhouse waste water and un- restricted cattle access to watercourses are agricultural contributors of bacteria and nutrients in our area. Farm operators can implement a num- ber of management practices to improve water quality on their property. Through the co-operation of farmers, alternative livestock manure and waste management practices were implemented as on-farm demonstrations on three individual farms during the last year. These sites will serve as practical examples of alternative man- agement practices to other farm opera- tors. The projects completed included a milkhouse waste disposal system (sedi- ment trap and treatment trench), a re- stricted livestock access `and stream crossing and a solidmanure storage system with separate containment of run- off and milkhouse wastes. Changes in agriculture have increased the potential for pollution and waste can have a variety of negative effects on water quality including: —render reservoirs and beaches unsafe for swimming due to bacterial levels —cause excessive growth of aquatic vegetation due to increased nutrient levels —reduce dissolved oxygen levels in water effecting stream life —cattle instream cause sedimentation, bank erosion and direct„ fecal contamina- tion —reduce aesthetic quality of the water- course —transport water born pathogens to other downstream users. During the initial two years of the manure management program, emphasis was placed on determining the sources and Are These Problems Of Concern To You? Cattle Access Allowing cattle unrestricted access to a watercourse has been a "common" farm- ing practice for decades. At one point in time it may have been necessary to pro- vide a source of water, however now alter- native watering could be made available on most farms. Cattle tramp streambanks, destroying the grass cover, leaving them susceptible to erosion. This in turn causes increased sedimentation which necessitates . more frequent cleanouts. Cattle also defecate di- rectly instream elevating bacteria and nutrient levels. REMEDIAL MEASURES—Fencing streams or drains (above) and providing a bed leve! crossing (right) are two_methods of reducing cattle access to watercourses. POOR QUALITY—Water quality problems traced to poor farm waste management. During the study, weekly water samples have been collected upstream and down- stream of four pastures which allow unre- stricted cattle access to a watercourse. All downstream locations showed increases in fecal coliform counts (fecal coliforms are the bacteria type used to indicate fecal presence). Over the summer sampling period, increases downstream of the pastures ranged from 27 to 77 per cent. Other studies have shown similar results. To demonstrate proper control of live- stock to a watercourse a co-operative fenc- ing project was established on a dairy farm in Elma Township. A herd of ap- proximately 40 cows was fenced from a drain and a bed -level stream crossing was constructed to allow access to both sides of a pasture. Access was reduced from 1,300 feet of ditch bank to a single access point. Now is the time to consider fencing your livestock from the stream on your pro- perty. Milkhouse Waste Disposal In one study area on the Upper Middle Maitland River milkhouse wash water was improperly treated on over 80 per cent of the farms surveyed. Disposal commonly involves discharging wash water through tiles which outlet at streams or drains. in the MVCA Watershed have been A more detailed study undertaken by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority revealed that an average dairy farm can produce 30 kg of phosphorus an- nually. If tiled to a watercourse the phos- phorus contained in the waste water pro- motes the growth of algae and other aqua- tic vegetation. In addition disease causing bacteria may be found in this waste water. Other downstream herds can be exposed to these pathogens if allowed access to the stream. Dairy operators can implement a num- ber of alternatives for wash water dispos- al. Wastes can be added to a properly sized concrete or earthen, manure storage for field disposal. A sediment tank and treat- ment to ench system may be considered on farms with suitable soils. An example of both methods has been installed with co- operative farmers as demonstration sites in the study area. Milkhouse waste dispos- al systems are currently eligible for grants. Manure Storage Manure storages are another potential source of pollutants. The . majority of manure in the Maitland watershed is stacked in the solid form on earthen or (continued on page 8) G the F tion ad En cer and liv ate pro pre. E soil me sys 0 $7,5, M jest m mo bot are pr An pri soil anc gra ar tw co 0 thir $10, t ."11g In,FligiliGEMANWSPAZIMMINNEMEMPUMENEMENRIEM ed Wat rec sist Thi vol istr Hur t.•ic vid sion don abl tion stri win gatJ ipla cho a