Animal Feeding Operations are lots where animals are confined for at least 45 days in a 12-month period and there is no grass or other vegetation in the area during the normal growing period. The pollutants that run off of the lots can be harmful to the surrounding communities and ecosystems. Nitrogen and phosphorus, elements abundantly found in manure, can contribute to drinking water contamination. Additionally, these pollutants can contribute to algal blooms.
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are AFOs that have a number of animals that have waste materials come into contact with the water supply. Civil Eats reports on how momentum is building to regulate water pollution from CAFOs. Animal feeding operations have many intersections with environmental health stories. The animals on AFOs are often eaten by humans and the pollutants that run off of the lot often directly impact surrounding communities.