As a result, the local agricultural land base is unable to use the nitrogen surplus. The Abbotsford Aquifer is one of approximately 200 in the Lower Fraser Valley. It is the largest unconfined aquifer and the most extensively used in the Valley. It is an important source of water for domestic, municipal, agricultural and industrial uses on both sides of the border. In terms of human health, toxicity of nitrate is thought to be due to its reduction to nitrite during digestion.
Nitrites can affect human health by reducing the ability of blood to carry oxygen.
Nitrate is also a major nutrient for aquatic vegetation. For ground water fed streams and rivers, excessive amounts of nitrate and other nutrients in ground water can lead to prolific growth of algae, fungi and aquatic rooted, attached and floating plants. This can render waterways unsuitable for some other uses. The Abbotsford Aquifer is a transboundary aquifer whose water quality is threatened from land use activities on both sides of the Canada-USA border. Results are published by Environment Canada and made available as part of an ongoing collaboration with other government agencies and the private sector to improve management of the aquifer and protect ground water.