Agriculture and the Environment

Water pollution from many sources, including Agriculture can impose economic costs on farmers, other industries, and the public, as well as cause negative environmental effects on all plants and animals. Water resources should be used in the agri-food system in ways which balance economic and ecological needs.

Background

Water Quality

The link between farming and the quality of surface and groundwater has long been recognized, and is now a key environmental and health issue. Agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, livestock manure and pesticides may cause water contamination when improperly disposed of, stored or applied. High concentrations of organic matter, phosphorus and nitrogen in surface water can lead to its eutrophication and deoxygenation, which in turn destroy aquatic habitat and produce taste, odour and aesthetic problems. Intensive agriculture in areas of high soil permeability and high water tables may cause groundwater contamination from the percolation of chemicals and nutrients through the soil profile. There is also concern for negative health effects in areas where certain bacterial or nitrate concentrations exceed drinking water guidelines in surface or groundwater.

As agriculture requires access to reliable supplies of high quality water for irrigation, livestock watering, and processing, it is in the sector's interest to reduce impacts on water quality. Biotechnology can enhance agriculture through management practices that reduce agricultural byproducts such as pesticides and nutrients into water courses. A goal area within the department's new Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) will encourage the development of projects, policy instruments and research priorities that will help reduce agricultural risks and provide benefits to the health and supply of water. Key priority areas for water are nutrients, pathogens and pesticides.

Agri-environmental indicators related to water quality include the Risk of Water Contamination by Nitrogen, and Risk of Water Contamination by Phosphorus. Other indicators, such as Residual Nitrogen and Risk of Water Erosion can be indirectly linked to water quality. Management of farm nutrient and pesticide inputs, proper manure storage and handling as well as cropping practices can also be indirectly linked to water quality.

Water Use

The sustainable use of water requires that withdrawal rates do not exceed recharge or compromise other water uses. On a national level, agriculture uses approximately 9% of water withdrawn in Canada. Although agriculture returns less than 30% of the water it uses to its source, a much higher percentage is indirectly returned to the environment. This water is used mainly to grow crops, water livestock, clean farm buildings and equipment, and meet domestic needs.

Water Conservation

Water management is another critical factor influencing agricultural sustainability. Water management in Canada has traditionally focused on maintaining supply and withdrawing water at rates that do not exceed replenishment, but demand management is now becoming more common. In agricultural terms, demand management involves finding ways of using existing water more efficiently (e.g., using high-efficiency irrigation systems), and learning to farm with less water.

Recent climatic trends have caused farmers in many areas of Canada, especially in western provinces, to face difficult farming conditions. AAFC's Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) has a long history of direct involvement in water management as it relates to the agriculture and agri-food sector in Western Canada.

Activities

As a result of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF), new projects and policy instruments are expected over the next few years that will address agricultural impacts on water quality and quantity. Stronger focus on maintaining and improving water quality through on-farm action is expected through Environmental Farm Planning activity. These activities will help address farm management practices that may have an impact on water and the environment.

With respect to Western Canadian activities, PFRA through its Rural Water Development Program, has provided technical and financial assistance on more than 1000 dams, 150,000 farm dugouts, 100,000 wells, and 800 rural water pipelines in the prairies. Through a number of different federal-provincial infrastructure programs, it has played a significant role in the development, enhancement and upgrading of municipal water and wastewater systems. In recent years, PFRA has begun to shift its emphasis away from funding infrastructure to funding research aimed at water quality issues. PFRA communicates the results of its research to its clients through 22 District Offices located throughout the prairie region.

AAFC's Research Branch is also involved in initiatives aimed at improving water quality and enhancing water conservation. Activities are concentrated on investigating the effects of agricultural practices on the quality and quantity of surface and ground water, implementing best management practices, and developing irrigation management strategies.

AAFC also participates in federal-provincial and binational initiatives related to water quality. The department is a signatory on the Canada-Ontario Agreement respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA), the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) and the St. Lawrence Action Plan (SLAP) - the implementation plan of the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence.

Further Information

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