The Pure Farms Pure Waters (PFPW) project, in collaboration with the Water Quality for Fisheries (WQ4F) program, was a groundbreaking initiative facilitated by Coastal Carolina Riverwatch (CCRW) and funded by Waterkeeper Alliance (WKA). This collaborative effort involved strategic partnerships with the University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences (UNC IMS), SouthWings, and a contract with East Carolina University (ECU) to research and provide an assessment of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation impacts to NC coastal fisheries.

This PFPW project included water quality sampling, community engagement (including social media outreach, canvassing, community survey, billboards and film screenings), policy advocacy and a final StoryMap and written report that are now available on CCRW’s website.

Understanding the Issues:

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are large-scale livestock facilities where animals such as hogs, poultry, and cattle are raised in confined spaces at high densities. These operations are a significant part of the state’s agricultural industry, particularly in eastern North Carolina, where they contribute to the economy through meat and poultry production.

However, CAFOs also pose substantial environmental and public health challenges. The high concentration of animals generates large amounts of waste, which can lead to nutrient runoff, water pollution, and air quality issues if not properly managed. Manure lagoons, a common waste storage method, can overflow or leak, contaminating local waterways with nitrogen, phosphorus, and pathogens.

Photo: LEWIS 2023. A hog CAFO in Onslow County that is adjacent to residential homes and wetlands.

Research

In 2023, CCRW initiated a collaborative research project with the University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences (UNC IMS) to assess CAFO pollution impacts on the White Oak River basin. The bacteria study and DNA research component aimed to analyze streams of the New River for bacteria levels and conduct bacterial DNA analysis to identify contamination sources. CCRW’s primary partner, Dr. Rachel Noble, and her students, Dan Crownover and Emma Dempsey, as well as CCRW intern, Demi Sperelakis, played integral roles in conducting lab analysis and assessment throughout the project.

CCRW executed a comprehensive sampling strategy over 11 months, from August 2023 to June 2024. At each of the six designated sampling locations, various water quality parameters were assessed, including Bacteria (E. Coli, Fecal Coliform, Enterococcus), turbidity, human and hog DNA, nutrient levels (phosphate, nitrate and ammonia), and YSI measurements (pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen).

Results of this research found that headwaters of the New River contained both hog and human waste DNA after rain events!

More results, including graphs and preliminary analysis, is now available in our written report. Further research will be conducted in partnership with UNC IMS to dive deeper into the sources and impact of the found bacterial contamination in waterways.

Photo: LEWIS 2023. One of the sampling sites for the 2023-2024 project.

Community Engagement

Outreach and community engagement were a large piece of this comprehensive projet. Throughout the project, CCRW provided multiple educational and interactive opportunities for community members living nearby CAFOs in Onslow County.

Social Media: Weekly posts included information about the impacts of CAFOs, sampling updates and Farm Friday features that discussed the importance of local sustainable farming practices to protect the quality of water and life. Local farms offer several benefits over CAFOs, particularly in terms of environmental impact, animal welfare, public health, and community well-being.  You can follow Farm Friday on our Facebook and Instagram.

Film Screenings: To engage community members, on October 25, 2023, CCRW with WKA, CleanAIRE NC, and NC Conservation Network held a “The Smell of Money” student and public showing that aligned with state’s general permit stakeholder sessions. This event provided information on the impacts of CAFOs in NC and allowed for the collection of public comments that would be used to guide statewide CAFO permits. The event was located at Carteret Community College and CCRW collected 27 written comments from the public!

Community Survey: Through a contract with ECU, a research-based survey was conducted to gather quantitative data on CAFO adjacent communities. Canvassing and the distribution of door hangers was conducted twice in August, and a report was drafted using the results of the survey. The goal was to engage neighbors and inform them of our intent to document pollution and share community stories.

CCRW Impacted Community Meetings: CCRW hosted impacted community meetings to identify local advocates and continue to build relationships in the White Oak River Basin. At the meetings we showed the Water Quality for Fisheries short film that highlights the priority concern that coastal fishers have for CAFO pollution in North Carolina.

Photo: LEWIS 2023. The Smell of Money film screening at Carteret Community College.

Policy Advocacy

Aerial Monitoring: Through a partnership with SouthWings, monthly flight investigations occurred between August 2023 and July 2024. On these flights the White Oak Waterkeeper tracked new CAFO developments and documented possible permit violations. CCRW submitted consistent quarterly violation reports from poultry and hog CAFOs to the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ).

Media Advocacy: CCRW maintained quarterly updates to social media and email newsletters, disseminating information about PFPW to stakeholders like local governments and NCDEQ. Updates highlighted the identification of high bacteria and nutrient pollution in impaired and recreationally used waters. The reports also aimed to highlight the need for consistent monitoring in waters adjacent to CAFOs.

Animal Waste Management Permit Renewal: CCRW’s Waterkeeper attended NCDEQ stakeholder meetings, provided written and spoken comments and collected written public comments that were used to update CAFO permits in NC. These general permits tell large animal operations how they must handle and dispose of their waste. Every 5 years, DEQ renews the state’s AFO general permits.

Senator Sanderson Visit: State Senator Norman Sanderson visited Morehead City on March 26, 2024 for a tour of the collaborative work of CCRW and UNC IMS to protect the quality of water and life in coastal NC. During the Senator’s visit, the Waterkeeper shared a presentation about the ongoing work to protect fisheries along the coast. After the presentation and discussion, Dr. Rachel Noble, UNC-IMS Professor and Field Site Director, gave the Senator a tour of her lab space used for bacteria, pathogens, and DNA analysis. The presented work highlighted UNC-IMS’ partnership with CCRW to study our watersheds holistically with the goal of restoring and reopening areas listed on the 303d list.

Photo: CCRW 2024. Pictured left to right: Lisa Rider – CCRW Executive Director, NC Senator Norman Sanderson, Riley Lewis – White Oak Waterkeeper, Dr Rachel Noble, Denene Blackwood – UNC IMS, Tami Bennett – UNC IMS.

Final Project Materials

The project report is now available for you to read! The report provides an in depth look of project activities and current results from the water sampling. Read the report here.

A simplified version of the report can also be viewed through an ArcGIS StoryMap created by students Dan and Demi. Visit the StoryMap here.

Through actions such as the Pure Farms Pure Water project, education, outreach, and advocacy through public hearings and interactions with political officials, Coastal Carolina Riverwatch is actively addressing the fisheries prioritized actions related to upgrading CAFO waste management systems, strengthening policies regarding the protection of ground and surface water, evaluating best management practices, and bridging the gap between scientists, community, and policymakers.

THANK YOU TO OUR PROJECT PARTNERS

CCRW is proud to partner with so many great organizations and universities that made this important research, outreach and advocacy possible.