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Industrial agriculture is widely known as one of the most significant causes of water pollution in the United States. It has been linked as a source of water pollution for 48% of stream and river water, and for 41% of lake water. Most of the water pollution is a result of improper storage and disposal of animal waste. In California, it has been identified that industrial livestock farms are the major source of nitrate pollution in more than 100,000 square miles of polluted groundwater. These livestock farms, which are located throughout the United States, can house hundreds of thousands of pigs, chickens, or cows, which produce incredible amounts of waste.

On most factory farms, the animals are crowded into extremely small areas, and their manure and urine are funneled into huge waste lagoons the size of several football fields where it is stored. These lagoons often leak, and during large storms tend to overflow, which can cause devastating damage to the surrounding environment as raw manure is up to 160 times more toxic than raw municipal sewage. As a process of disposing of the manure, many industrial farms spray the waste onto their fields as a fertilizer. However, since the farms produce much more animal waste than the fields can withstand, the excess waste often runs off into nearby water systems, or simply seeps into the groundwater. This toxic pollution contains harmful gases when it is stored, including hydrogen sulfide, in which exposure may cause health implications that range from a soar throat to coma or death. High nitrogen and phosphorus levels are the most common form of water pollution in the United States, often contaminate the groundwater from lagoons or manure fields, which have been traced to bacteria and viruses, and even linked to blue baby syndrome, which can cause death in infants. These chemicals are able to travel long distances, and can cause algal blooms in water systems, which result in catastrophic fish kills known as dead zones.

Wide-spread use of antibiotics in large-scale industrial farms also pose a serious health risk. In the United States, about 29 million pounds of antibiotics, which is nearly 80% of the country's antibiotic use in total, are given to animals every year in order to speed growth or compensate for illnesses resulting from unsanitary conditions. It has been estimated that approximately 75%-90% of antibiotics given to livestock are excreted. The spread of these antibiotics into the food and water that are consumed by humans contribute to the increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making is hard to treat human illnesses.

While the serious environmental and human health risks are linked to the improper storage and disposal of waste produced by industrial farms, in many cases the industry has managed to escape regulations due to inadequate laws and weak enforcement. This is due in a way to the rapid growth of factory farms in the recent years, where a small number of companies have been able to take over the industry. A study conducted by the NRDC concluded that in the last 30 years, the number of hog farms in the United States dropped from 650,000 to 71,000, however the number of hogs remain the same. This is just an example of how clear it is that industrial farming companies will do whatever they can to make money regardless of the safety of the environment or American consumers. Therefore the solutions to reducing water pollution rely on important changes in factory farming, as well as government oversight on regulations. While supporting small, sustainable farms that are efficient in dealing with their water and waste management is important for the consumer, public awareness and pressure should be put on industrial farms to conform to more efficient practices.

Annotations:

1. "Facts about Pollution from livestock farms." //NRDC//. N.p., 2011. Web. 11 Nov 2011. .

There was no author listed for this text, however it was taken from the NRDC website which covers most topics harmful to the environment and human health. The main topic of the text was to discuss facts about pollution from factory farming. The argument is fleshed out by discussing pollution in terms of negative effects to public health and the environment, water systems, as well as the result of growth in factory farming. The most critical quotes of the text were: “During the past 30 years the number of hog farms in the United States dropped from 650,000 to 71,000, yet the number of hogs remains almost the same”, “California officials identify agriculture, including cows, as the major source of nitrate pollution in more than 100,000 square miles of polluted groundwater”, and “In this country, roughly 29 million pounds of antibiotics -- about 80 percent of the nation's antibiotics use in total -- are added to animal feed every year to speed livestock growth. This widespread use of antibiotics on animals contributes to the rise of resistant bacteria, making it harder to treat human illnesses”. I was able to reference much of the facts listed in this text in the wiki post, including information regarding the growth of factory farms, and the health implications of pollution of humans.

2. "Pollution from Giant Livestock Farms Threatens Public Health ." //NRDC//. N.p., 2005. Web. 11 Nov 2011. .

There was no author listed for this text, however it was taken from the NRDC website which covers most topics harmful to the environment and human health. The main topic of the text was to discuss the poorly regulated waste lagoons and manure spray fields associated with industrial farming that have environmentally hazardous consequences. The argument is fleshed out by discussing the pollution's threat to human health, the natural environment, as well as listing better alternatives. The most critical quotes of the text were: “On top of this, the widespread use of antibiotics also poses dangers. Large-scale animal factories often give animals antibiotics to promote growth, or to compensate for illness resulting from crowded conditions. These antibiotics are entering the environment and the food chain, contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and making it harder to treat human diseases”, “In excessive amounts, nutrients often cause an explosion of algae that robs water of oxygen, killing aquatic life”. I was able to reference much of the facts listed in this text in the wiki post, including information regarding the health effects on humans and the environment, as well as descriptions of the inadequate practices of industrial farms.

 3. "Water pollution." //Suatainable Table//. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov 2011. .

There was no author listed for this text, however the Sustainable Table website was created to “celebrate sustainable food and educate consumers”. The main topic of the text discussed water pollution from industrial agriculture and factory farming. The argument is fleshed out by providing information regarding the pollutants found in water near farms, and their effects on the environment and human health. The most critical quotes of the text were: “When manure is spread on fields as a fertilizer, it can also introduce some of the more toxic substances present in livestock excretions, such as pharmaceuticalsor bacteria. Water pollution from manure as well as synthetic fertilizers can lead to serious environmental damage and harm human health”, “The EPA estimates that about 1.3 million households in counties with industrial livestock facilities get their water from wells with dangerously high nitrate levels”, and “An estimated 75% of all antibiotics administered to livestock are excreted, and for certain common antibiotics that figure can be as high as 90%”. I was able to reference much of the facts listed in this text in the wiki post, including information regarding the types of pollutants released in animal waste when it is improperly stored and disposed of.