Nitrates in Wisconsin's water: Background, impact, and more

June 30, 2022

Wisconsin is ranked as one of the leading states in agricultural production. Unfortunately, this can pose a serious threat to the environment and public health. Right now, the state of Wisconsin is enduring an environmental setback because clean water is being contaminated due to unsustainable agriculture practices.

In sustainable amounts, farmers use nitrogen to help their crops to grow. But the number of CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) in the state has dramatically increased in the past few years, resulting in unsustainable nitrogen application. The manure that is produced from CAFOs is transported all across the state of Wisconsin so that farmers can use it as fertilizer. Manure is a major source of nitrogen, which can make it useful in agricultural systems in small amounts. Alas, the overuse of nitrogen on farms leads to nitrate leaching into groundwater which puts the public health at risk. Nitrates are chemicals that are produced when nitrogen and oxygen are combined, and can be very dangerous when ingested by humans at unsafe levels. So dangerous, in fact, that this chemical is linked to thyroid disease, colon cancer and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. To protect the lives of Wisconsin residents, regulatory action must be taken.

Why does it matter?

Thousands of people across the state of Wisconsin use private wells that are poisoned with nitrate. This chemical is an extreme health hazard. As mentioned before, nitrate is linked to multiple diseases. Infant methemoglobinemia, also known as “blue baby syndrome,” can occur when nitrate is consumed by a child. Blue baby syndrome is when oxygen is reduced in the bloodstream leaving the child with a “blue pale face.” As important as public health should be alone, what’s more is that nitrate contamination also results in economic downfall because of healthcare costs and other financial consequences associated with the pollution.

Water quality and nitrate leaching is not a new problem for the Department of Natural Resources. There have been, in fact, regulations to set groundwater and drinking water standards before. This ongoing issue was brought to light again in 2018 when the Department proposed a rule regulating nitrogen use known as NR-151. Unfortunately, water quality issues have only gotten worse everywhere which called for a revision of these rules. The Department of Natural Resources worked with stakeholder groups, including members of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, and took input from the public to set better standards. Frustratingly enough, this revision of NR-151 failed. While the rule updates would have set strong nitrate regulations that protected health and prevented the cost associated with the health impacts of nitrates, business groups such as Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce pushed back. What they and the State Legislature failed to consider when they claimed the cost of rule implementation was too high, was how some families cannot afford to buy safe drinking water, healthcare costs, costs from governments to respond to manure spills, polluted wells, decrease in tourism from environmental damage, and more consequences that ultimately affect the economy.

What do we do?

Although nitrogen is used as a fertilizer, in excess it makes soil worse as it breaks down the organic matter, forcing farmers to use even more. It is important that we understand that the system that supports unsustainable nitrate use is to blame, not farmers. The Wisconsin Farmers Union is supporting efforts that restrict manure and other harmful fertilizers to sensitive areas of Wisconsin. As residents of Wisconsin, we must demand public health protections as well as support farmers who make it a priority to protect soil and water quality. To get involved, visit our page to become a water advocate.
Clean water is an essential human right, thank you for supporting those who are affected.


Written by Tess Wadsworth, Sierra Club Project Aide


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