In many rural communities in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, nutrients pollution from agriculture negatively impacts drinking water. The main causes of nutrient contamination in waterways include over-application of fertilizers for agricultural production and poor animal manure management on private lands. This contamination can lead to detrimental human health.
Agricultural pollution in waterways puts both drinking and wastewater utilities in a difficult position. Often utilities and their customers pay significantly higher costs to remove pollutants from water than what it would cost to prevent that pollution in the first place.
But when water utility staff connect with farmers, build trust, and develop plans to tackle farm pollution, opportunities arise to develop partnerships and to promote nutrient reducing agricultural practices in their watershed. The National Wildlife Federation is working to reduce nutrient pollution issues by cultivating relationships with rural water utilities and local agriculture producers.
For more information about these efforts, please contact Elizabeth Lillard.
The National Wildlife® Photo Contest celebrates the power of photography to advance conservation and connect people with wildlife and the outdoors.
Enter TodayPresident and CEO Collin O’Mara reveals in a TEDx Talk why it is essential to connect our children and future generations with wildlife and the outdoors—and how doing so is good for our health, economy, and environment.
Watch NowDitch the disposables and make the switch to sustainable products.
Shop NowMore than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 53 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive.