Nitrate contamination widespread on Central Coast farms
June 26, 2010
Thousands of farm owners up and down the Central Coast have wells that have been affected by nitrates due to heavy fertilizer use. [Mercury News]
Scientists believe that fertilizers are the leading cause of nitrate pollution in California groundwater. The Department of Water Resources reports high nitrate levels have forced more wells to shut down than any other contaminant.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Institute estimates that at least 1 million Californians have dangerous levels of nitrates in their domestic wells.
However, current regulations, or lack thereof, allow farmers to apply as much fertilizer as they need–and can afford.
As a result, experts say it is common for farmers to apply more nitrogen-based fertilizer than needed without any regulatory consequence.
Marchi’s Central farm, just outside Pescadero, failed to establish a protection zone to prevent excess fertilizer from entering the groundwater. A shallow drinking well sits 30 feet away from rows of brussel sprouts and artichokes.
The problem is so common that Marchi’s Central Farm won’t be fined for having polluted the groundwater, even if it can be proven that the fertilizer is to blame, said Harvey Packard, supervising engineer with the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Board in San Luis Obispo.
The board is investigating Marchi’s Central Farm, while also trying to draft regulations that would limit the amount of fertilizer a farmer can apply in a field. Farmers would be required to develop a fertilizer “budget” to show they’re not using more than what the crop needs.
Other farmers might be required to install monitoring systems.