Fecal bacteria can infiltrate wells when the manure management system and domestic well are not properly maintained. The first barrier to safeguard drinking water is to implement a herd health program that focuses on keeping cows and youngstock healthy. In addition to preventing disease, this includes isolating and treating infected animals. The second barrier is to reduce the likelihood that pathogens leave the farm. Keep manure on concrete areas and control the runoff flow by constructing curbs.
Land apply waste on sunny, warm days according to an approved nutrient management plan.
Apply waste to crops that are growing and that will not be eaten or grazed until there is adequate time for bacteria and viruses to die-off. Limit the amount of manure applied to a single site to reduce the possibility of pathogenic bacteria buildup. And apply animal manure when the soil is not saturated and when rain is not forecast. A third barrier is to keep pathogens from polluting a watershed, such as spreading manure on a hillside or excess slope or encouraging livestock to avoid entering streams. This also means that streams should not flow through calf pastures or loafing lots or barnyards.