Protecting our water from nitrate pollution
Everyone should trust that the water that comes out of their kitchen sink is safe to drink. In parts of Minnesota - and elsewhere across the country - that’s not the case. There are many contributors to water pollution, but one of the most persistent in Minnesota is nitrate contamination caused by widespread industrial agricultural practices like animal feedlots and monoculture row crops.
Public and private wells across Southeastern Minnesota have been contaminated by unsafe nitrate levels from these practices, leading to a public health crisis in the region. High nitrate levels are also linked to repeated fish kills in Minnesota rivers and streams, as well as a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. And we know the cause: agriculture accounts for over 70% of the nitrogen pollution in Minnesota waters.
To date, the agricultural industry has prevented regulatory agencies from implementing the guardrails necessary to both protect water and preserve the local farming economy. We can do both.
MCEA is committed to pushing for the regulations we know will work to curb this crisis. We won’t stop until every Minnesotan has water that is safe to drink, fish and swim in.