Groundwater contamination from animal agriculture

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Groundwater pollution, also referred to as groundwater contamination, is not as easily classified as surface water pollution. Groundwater aquifers are susceptible to contamination from sources that may not directly affect surface water bodies.^[1]

Analysis of groundwater contamination may focus on soil characteristics and site geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, and the nature of the contaminants. Causes of groundwater pollution include: naturally-occurring (geogenic), on-site sanitation systems, sewage, fertilizers and pesticide, commercial and industrial leaks, hydraulic fracturing, and landfill leachate. Groundwater contamination in California impacts many regions, such as the Central Valley.^[2]

One of the sources of groundwater contamination can be linked to animal agriculture and Animal feed operations (AFO). These facilities tend to have a higher concentration of animal manure, which when stored improperly can cause problems by leaking into local groundwater and aquifers, causing groundwater contamination. Under the Clean Water Act, AFOs are considered a point source of pollution and are held to specific standards by the United States' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).^[3]