Farmers Blamed for Nitrate Surge

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Tuesday, 12 August 2003

Farmers are being blamed for an increase in nitrogen in the nation's water supply. Using too much fertilizer and over crowding animals – which allows nitrate-rich slurry to soak into the ground – are thought to be the cause.

One third of Britain's drinking water is said to be "seriously" polluted with nitrates, threatening wildlife and landing consumers with a big purification bill. The Guardian reports that one possible solution might be feeding sugar to feed the bugs, which live in water, and eat nitrates. Jacob Tompkins from Imperial College London says: "It seems a simple solution to a very difficult problem."

Source: FWi 11 August 2003