Urban Fertilizer, Groundwater and Environmental Stewardship

Clyde GrahamJanuary 14, 2011

Fertilizer and the EnvironmentThe problem is when you have too much of

a good thing in the wrong placeAir pollution—ammonia losses to the airGreenhouse gas—N2O emissionsBluegreen Algae—Phosphorus and nitrogen

losses to lakes, rivers, oceansGroundwater contamination--nitrates

Groundwater in the News - PEI

Pace on P.E.I. nitrate pollution 'glacial'Monday, August 16, 2010 |CBC News

Agriculture, watersheds focus of nitrates reportWednesday, July 9, 2008 |CBC News

NITRATE COMMISSION REPORT PROVIDED TO ISLANDERSNews Releases, Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Premier's Office

Prince Edward Island Agriculture Gets Federal Investment to Improve and Protect Water ResourcesFeb 16, 2009Marketwire

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA BOOSTS ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS IN ISLAND AGRICULTURENews release, November 2007, AAFC

Groundwater in the News - Ontario

Well testing in Ontario County reveals health riskDec 27, 2010Messenger Post

Ground Water Monitoring Wells Test Higher Than Normal For Nitrate News Release, August 12, 2009 Grey Bruce Health Unit  

Nitrate geochemistry of a regional aquifer in an agricultural landscape, Woodstock, Ontario, CanadaDru J. Heagle*, Ramon Aravena*, Sherry L. Schiff*, David Rudolph*, 26  October  2002 *University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Matching Nutrients With Crop Needs to Reduce Nitrogen Leaching

There is clear evidence of the relationship between groundwater nitrate levels and fertilizer application rates.

The key principle of nutrient management planning is to apply only the fertilizer or manure that can be absorbed by the crop and apply it at the right time. An effective nutrient management plan will optimize the crop yield and quality, minimize fertilizer costs and manure use, and protect soil and water.

Aquifers

In Canada, 8.9 million people, or 30.3% of the population, rely on groundwater for domestic use.

Health Concerns

The major health concern related to elevated nitrate levels in drinking water is methemoglobinemia or blue-baby syndrome.

Water with over 10 parts per million nitrate-nitrogen can cause methemoglobinemia (inability of the blood to supply oxygen) in infants and other health effects.

Concerns have been raised about possible links between nitrates and other illnesses, particularly some types of cancer and birth defects. Many studies have attempted to link these health effects to nitrates in drinking water. However, results have been inconclusive.

Nitrate (NO3-) is highly soluble

In porous, sandy, course soils it leach downward and contaminate groundwater supplies.

Water with over 10 parts per million nitrate-nitrogen can cause methemoglobinemia (inability of the blood to supply oxygen) in infants and other health effects.

Most problems have been traced to animal manure, septic tank sources, or fertilizer spills.

However, over-application of nitrogen fertilizer can also contribute to nitrate pollution, (University of Minnesota Extension)

2008 Report of the Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater, PEI

Reducing Nitrate Contamination From Cosmetic Use of Fertilizers

Issue: All fertilizers can contribute to nitrate

contamination of groundwater.

Background: Homeowner use of fertilizers is a

relatively small contributor to the overall nitrate contamination of ground and surface water in Prince Edward Island. Nonetheless, the practice of fertilizing lawns is widespread in urban and rural areas and contributes to nitrate contamination of the environment.

Recommendation: It is recommended that there be a

province-wide policy to reduce the use of fertilizers for cosmetic purposes.

AAFC Over-Application or Improper Storage of Manure

or Fertilizer Manure or fertilizer that is applied to land at a greater rate than growing crops can utilize the nutrients can result in nitrates leaching into groundwater. Fertilizer that is applied to lawns or gardens at excessive rates may also contribute.

Prevention: Balance the nutrient requirements of your crops with the nutrient content of the manure or fertilizer. Conduct regular soil and manure tests and maintain accurate records of application. Storage of manure concentrates nutrients in one location which can increase risk of contamination.

Prevention: Manure storage facilities should be designed and constructed correctly.

Nitrate risk factors Nitrogen rate - One study showed that at one pound of

nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, no leaching occurred. Nitrogen source - Slow-release fertilizers are a nitrogen

source that can reduce the chance of leaching. Application timing - In late fall, plants take up less nitrogen

and there is a greater chance for leaching to occur. Irrigation practices - The more irrigation that takes place the

greater the chances for nitrate leaching. Soil texture - The sandier the soil the more chance for

nitrate leaching. Age of site - Younger sites usually have less organic matter

and need to be fertilized more therefore increasing the chance of leaching. (Bocher, 1995)

Urban Fertilizer Council Members:

ScottsSure-GroAgrium Advanced

Technologies Stewardship focus Educate homeowners,

public Provide tools to municipal

officials Low P standard

4R Urban StewardshipIndustry has been working with Canadian

Food Inspection Agency for a number of years

4R type stewardship messages will be mandatory on all lawn fertilizer in Canada by Dec. 31, 2013 with garden products to follow

Companies will implement with package redesign >> Branding window limited

Messaging will reach ~10 million households

Best Management Practices Right Product – Use the correct fertilizer for

your soil conditionsHave your soil tested every couple of years to

determine what type of fertilizer nutrients are neededWhen purchasing your own fertilizer, look for products

that contain slowly available nitrogen. Slowly available nitrogen can be found in organic and synthetic forms

Carefully read and follow the directions on the fertilizer bag. Those directions are there to ensure the best results for your lawn and the environment

Best Management Practices Right Rate - Use the right amount of

fertilizerFollow fertilizer rate recommendations. More

is not always better Too much fertilizer can result in burning and

yellow strips in your lawnUse a good quality spreader and make sure

to check the setting

Best Management Practices Right Time – Use fertilizer at the right

time of the yearKnow your lawn and the grass variety. Different grass

varieties require different fertilizer timings for best results

Lawns go through a normal period of dormancy during the driest parts of summer. During that time, you should not fertilizer your lawn – let it rest

During dormancy, reduce the amount of foot-traffic and stop mowing. As the rain returns grass will green up in 7-10 days

Fertilizer shouldn’t be applied when the ground is frozen or just before a heavy rain is expected

Best Management Practices Right Place – Make sure fertilizer stays

where it has the most benefit to your lawn and the least impact on the environment and our waterwaysKeep fertilizer off hard surfaces such as driveways,

patios and sidewalks. Clean up any spills immediatelyLeave a small strip unfertilized on the edge of the lawnAvoid fertilizing steep slopes or gulliesKeep fertilizer away from run-off into storm sewers,

rivers, lakes and pondsFertilizer should only be used as a source of nutrients

for lawns and gardens. Fertilizer should not be used to de-ice walkways and driveways

Lawn Care Practices in Ontario More than 50% fertilized

their lawn last year Only 14% use a service –

unchanged since 1995 Most people make two

applications per year 75% changed their lawn

care practices in the past year: most common change was to hand weed

Trigger to buy = retail flyers & front of store placement

Source: Ipsos Reid November 2009

EDUCATION CAN DRIVE BEST PRACTICES

Lawn Fertilizer BMPsRead the bagKnow the size of your

lawnBuy what you needUse it up following label

directionsRight product. Right rate.

Right place. Right time.Choose the right

productShare or store leftover

fertilizer for next year

Education on Package

Source: Ipsos Reid November 2009

Choose the right product for the job.

Read the label for best practices – Right rate!

Keep from water, hard surfaces – Right place!

Don’t use when rainfall expected – Right time!

The bag is the number one source of information for fertilizer users: 43%

Thank You