Fecal coliform bacteria in agricultural surface and subsurface drainage water

Aside from the fact that tile drainage systems can directly contribute to surface water pollution, assessments of outflow water can also provide insight into the potential for movement into groundwater. Three tile-drained water quality monitoring sites were utilized to evaluate manure management activities on water quality in relation to fecal coliform (FC) transport. A site in Streets Ridge was used to study the effect of timing of beef manure (spring vs. fall) on FC levels using six surface and six subsurface drainage plots. A site in Onslow was used to study the effect of different rates (1x, 1.5x, and 1.9x) of dairy manure on FC levels using nine subsurface drainage plots. The final site, located at the Bio-Environmental Engineering Centre (BEEC), was used to study the effect of inorganic fertilizer versus organic fertilizer (hog manure) on FC levels using eight subsurface drainage plots. The sites ranged from 2.9 to 5.4 ha in size and varied in cropping practices, drainage systems, and soil type. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...