When Counties Take The Initiative
by Larry Etkin
Nearly every state in the Nation is paying attention to water quality. Research centers are popping up in major universities. Commissions are compiling studies. Agencies are analyzing progress. And water quality disasters, like January 1987's million gallon oil spill into the Monongahela and Ohio rivers, grab media attention.
Most localities, though not content with their water quality situation, seem resigned to wait until state governments or Extension Service programs "trickle down" to their level. But three Minnesota counties aren't waiting. They've begun their own rural water quality project, monitoring for bacterial and agricultural chemical contamination in local water supplies.
Martin, and Watonwan counties, on their own initiative, and with widespread voluntary cooperation from farm operators, have devised an ambitious project known as WATER (Water-quality Assessment Through Education and Research). "There just isn't enough government money available," says Watonwan County Extension Committee Chair Lila Evers. "A lot of people in our county realize that we can do some of this on our own. If we can get some government help, we'll just be able to do that much more."
The project was developed jointly by the three counties' Extension Service staffs, Soil Conservation Service district conservationists, and representatives of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts. WATER also has access to the University of Minnesota's Center for Agricultural Impacts on Water Quality. A $9,300 grant awarded by the Southeastern Minnesota Initiative Fund assists the project.
Education And Water Testing
WATER educates rural residents about the potential for water quality damage inherent in both the use of agricultural chemicals and the presence of livestock operations. It also includes comprehensive county?wide testing of wells for nitrates, bacteria, sulfate, and pesticide contamination, and choosing sites for long term monitoring.
Educational and testing elements have been linked. To get the program's special reduced water testing fee, farmers had to attend at least one educational session. And attend they did! The reduced testing fees and the urgency of water quality concerns led to capacity crowds at nearly all the educational sessions. The pesticide scan was a particular incentive. Normally costing about $350, it was made available for $85. In Watonwan County, nearly a quarter of the farm operators participated. County Extension Agent Gary Wyatt noted that every township had at least 10 wells tested.
Dispelling Misconceptions
Most of the tests revealed no contamination. Martin County Extension Agent John Bohnker contrasted those results with public perception. "There's lots of concern out there," he says, "and a lot of misconceptions about where the problems are. Of the 40 wells tested for pesticides and nitrates, only one sample came up positive, and that was a surface water source.
"It was also reassuring to see that our soil types are permitting pesticides to break down before they cause any problems in our groundwater," Bohnker adds.
Across all three counties, only 8 percent of the wells showed nitrate levels high enough to require treatment (10 parts per million). Fewer than 5 percent showed significant levels of bacteria. Just 16 percent had sulfate readings high enough to affect the taste of the water and to warrant treatment. And only the one Martin County surface water sample showed any contamination from a pesticide.
Educational Content
Each county scheduled two educational sessions. They were led by experts from the Extension Service, Agricultural Experiment Station, and the State Departments of Agriculture and Health. The first session discussed the water cycle and likely paths for contamination, presented current data on water quality, discussed the health significance of home water supplies, and explained basic water sampling procedures.
Session two, about a month later, presented and evaluated the first sampling results and discussed sound soil and chemical management practices for minimizing future contamination risks. The program leaders emphasized the need for proper capping of abandoned wells, and they urged additional water testing.
Postive Evaluations
More than 86 percent of current participants have evaluated the program positively. They say they came away better informed, and they are supportive of the ongoing well?monitoring program. As they outlined their water quality goals for the coming year, numerous participants said they would pay closer attention to reducing their use of chemicals and their cleaning and maintenance of tanks and other equipment.
Continuing Benefits
Besides the water tests that benefit individual farm operators, the water project is obtaining some long-term information for local and state officials. The project committee plans to establish at least 10 nitrate monitoring wells in each county. In addition, the project will sponsor at least three well-capping demonstrations during the coming year.
"We're convinced that our continuing water quality education programs will contribute to longterm enhancement of the proper management of soils and chemicals," Wyatt says.
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PHOTO CUTLINE #1: Lila Evers, Watonwan County Extension committee chair, Minnesota, takes a basic water sample before water is sent through treatment equipment.
PHOTO CUTLINE #2: Participants at water quality education session in St. James, Watonwan County, choose from available USDA, EPA, and state publications.
PHOTO CUTLINE #3: At a livestock feedlot in St. James, Layne Evers (left) discusses
plans for a manure management system with Gary Wyatt, Watonwan County Extension
agent.