Agriculture and water quality. Agriculture Information Bulletin
Agriculture generates byproducts that may contribute to the contamination of the Nation's water supply. Any effective regulations to ban or restrict agricultural-chemical or land-use practices in order to improve water quality will affect the farm economy. Some farmers will benefit; some will not. Most agricultural pollutants reach surface waterways in runoff; some leach through soil into ground water. Because surface-water systems and ground water systems are interrelated, farm-management practices need to focus on water quality in both systems. Modifying farm-management practices may raise production costs in some areas. Farmers can reduce runoff losses by reducing input use, implementing soil-conservation practices, and changing land use. Also at issue is who should pay for improving water quality.
- Research Organization:
- Economic Research Service, Washington, DC (USA). Resources and Technology Div.
- OSTI ID:
- 6801495
- Report Number(s):
- PB-89-104327/XAB; USDA/AIB-548
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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PESTICIDES
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