4/8/2013

Joseph Zachmann, Ph.D.

Research Scientist Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division

Pesticides & Risk

Pesticides control insect pests, weeds and diseases and may pose risk to human health and the environment Some pesticides leach to groundwater People are concerned about exposure risks
Are there pesticides in my drinking water? How high are the concentrations relative to known risk? Even if concentrations are low, what about unknown risks like exposure to pesticides in mixtures, endocrine disruption and other concerns?

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Groundwater Monitoring for Pesticides

MDA monitoring networks are designed for agricultural pesticides Wells are located adjacent to operating farm fields
Far from non-agricultural contaminant sources; intersect water table to represent worst-case scenario
Central Sand Plain monitoring well nest

Southeast karst bedrock aquifers are monitored via springs Extremely rare long-term data set entering 29th year

Statewide Network

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What are we looking for?

In 2011
276 groundwater samples From 171 wells/sites

CWF helped purchase state-ofthe-art LC/MS-MS equipment to:

Find pesticides at lower concentrations Increase number of pesticides & samples analyzed

Each sample analyzed for 110 different pesticides or degradates = 30,000 analyses annually As new pesticides are registered they are reviewed for risk and may be added to the analytical list

What do we find?
40 pesticides or degradates detected Most are found in fewer than 4% of samples Commonly detected in vulnerable areas:
Acetochlor Alachlor Atrazine Metolachlor Metribuzin

No pesticide concentrations exceeded MDH drinking water risk levels

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Metolachlor in Central Sands

Atrazine and its Degradates in Central Sands

Atrazine and its degradates are frequently detected, but concentrations have decreased significantly in recent years Atrazine and degradate concentrations: 2000-2012

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Atrazine in Southeast Karst

Uncertainties and Groundwater Risks

Possible changes in pesticide use patterns & groundwater impacts due to:
New pesticide-resistant crop technologies Weed resistance to current pesticides Invasive species control Climate change effects (warming) on economic crop pests Climate change effects on increased precipitation intensity and greater leaching and runoff

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All MDA monitoring data is:

Reviewed, compiled and reported annually Submitted to MDH, MPCA and EPA for evaluation Available and stored long-term in MPCAs EQuIS database

QUESTIONS?
Joseph Zachmann, Ph.D. Research Scientist Pesticide Management Unit Minnesota Department of Agriculture 651-201-6588 joseph.zachmann@state.mn.us

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Nitrates in Groundwater within Agricultural Regions of Minnesota

Senate Legislative Briefing: Environment and Energy Committee April 9, 2013 Bruce Montgomery Section Manager Fertilizer Non-Point Section Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division MN Department of Agriculture

A groundwater/drinking water contaminate of major concern

Nitrate
NO3-N

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Why the Concerns?

Why the Concerns?

Nitrate Loading to Groundwater Can Be Significant In Sensitive Geologic Areas

PARK RAPIDS WELL 4

14 12 10 Nitrate-N (mg/L) 8 6 4 2 0 Jan-93

y = 0.0012x - 40.114 R = 0.688

1993

Oct-95

1998

Jul-98

Apr-01

2003

Jan-04

Oct-06

2008

Jul-09

These Areas Tend to Be Very Localized

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The Many Escape Routes of Nitrogen

Nitrate movement to groundwater, springs, and tile drainage waters can be appreciable
Potentially Lost to Groundwater, Surface Water or Tile Drainage

Groundwater Stressors Whats Grown on the Land Strongly Influences Nitrate Loss to the Aquifer

Cropping Systems are NOT created equal

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Crops with Low N Loss Leaching Potential

Alfalfa and Clover

Vegetated Pasture

Native Prairie/CRP Plantings

Perennial Crops

The Last 90 Years..

Acreage Trends in Minnesotas Legume Crops

(All Hay and Soybeans)

Alfalfa, Clover, etc

Soybeans

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The Last 90 Years..

Acreage Trends for Minnesotas Major Nitrogen Demanding Crops All Small Grain Crops Corn

Crops with High N Loss Leaching Potential

Grain Corn

Potatoes

Silage Corn

Edible Beans

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Commercial Nitrogen Fertilizer Sales Trends in U.S.& Minnesota: 1965-2011

Data Source: MDA, TVA, and AAPFCO

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

MN Farmers Continue to Increase Efficiency from Their Nutrient Inputs

Bushels of Corn Produced per Lb of N Fertilizer

1992 to 2011

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County Well Index Data Nitrates in Private Drinking Wells

Most elevated conditions are found in the Central Sands region and Washington/Dakota Counties;

(Note that only wells with nitrate-N > than 3 mg/L are illustrated here)

Two Home Owner Nitrate Monitoring Networks have been Recently Established
Networks have been designed to provide lowcost nitrate trend information; Private wells selected on a pre-determined grid; Multi-Agency support; SWCD and/or Local Environmental Health shoulder much of work

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Homeowner Participation is the Cornerstone of the Design

Nitrates in Private Drinking Wells in the Central Sands

Home Owner Network Approach included 1,555 Minnesota families; This recent data (2011) suggests that about 5% > Health Standard (10 mg/L); Approx. 500-600 wells will be used for long-term trends

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This Type of Information will be Extremely Valuable to Future Generations

Southeast Nitrate Monitoring Network 2008 to 2011

Data Source: MDH

Recent Analysis Suggests that between 200-300 Agricultural Townships Are at Potential Risk
(based upon GIS layering of sensitive surficial geology and row crop density)

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Nitrates in Public Water Supplies

Nitrates in Public Water Supplies

Based upon MDH data, less that 1% of Minnesotas public water supplies exceed the MCL;
(Note that only wells with nitrate-N > than 3 mg/L are illustrated here)

Figure 10. Distribution of public water supply wells in the County Well Index with nitrate-N greater than 3 mg/L

Data Source: MDH

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Roughly 20-25 Public Water Suppliers in Agricultural Areas are Dealing with Nitrate Issues

Rapidly Increasing Nitrate Levels Are Not Uncommon in These Highly Sensitive Landscapes
PARK RAPIDS WELL 4
14 12 10 Nitrate-N (mg/L) 8 6 4 2 0 Jan-93

y = 0.0012x - 40.114 R = 0.688

1993

Oct-95

1998

Jul-98

Apr-01

2003

Jan-04

Oct-06

2008

Jul-09

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Whats at Stake for Community Water Suppliers Dealing with Nitrate Problems?
Nitrate removal systems typically cost more than $3 Million for upfront construction costs and also maintenance costs Costs of drilling new and/or deeper wells; Costs of blending multiple wells to achieve get acceptable water quality; Consumer costs are 2-6 times higher than non-impacted water supplies

LESSONS LEARNED: MDA, MDH, and our partners have tools and case studies to share

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting/waterprotection/drinkingwater.aspx

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