The Impact of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations on Groundwater Quality in Private versus Public Wells
Presented by:
Andrew Meyer
Department of Economics
Marquette University
Friday, March 14, 2025
12:00 pm-1:15 pm
Taylor-Hibbard Seminar Room (Rm103)
While previous studies have associated concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) with surface water contamination, causal links to groundwater pollution remain understudied. We address this gap in the literature, assessing the impact of CAFOs on both public and private well water quality in Wisconsin. We focus on nitrate contamination, which poses health risks when consumed in drinking water. Using difference-in-differences methods, we find that CAFO presence significantly increases nitrate concentrations in nearby private wells, with limited effects on public wells. Our findings underscore the disproportionate burden of groundwater pollution on rural, lower-income households reliant on private wells, with implications for environmental justice and public health.
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