Fertilizers play a vital role in agriculture. Over the years, they have increased farm production dramatically. Commercial fertilizer is, however, a major source of nitrogen in several chemical forms, including nitrate. The other major components of commercial fertilizer, phosphorus and potassium, can be of contamination concern with surface water sources. Nitrate can also affect adults, but the evidence is much less certain.
Young livestock are also susceptible to health problems from high nitrate-nitrogen levels.
Farmstead handling of fertilizers can affect groundwater by allowing materials containing nitrate to seep through the ground after a leak or spill. Other potential farmstead sources of nitrate are septic systems, livestock lots, livestock waste storage facilities and silage storage. Your drinking water is least likely to be contaminated if you follow appropriate management procedures and dispose of wastes off the farm site. However, proper offsite disposal practices are essential to avoid risking contamination that could affect the water supplies and health of others. It will take you step by step through your fertilizer storage, handling and disposal practices.