Lagoons of animal waste from large factory farms are threatening drinking water and recreational waters across the country, according to a report released Tuesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Clean Water Network. The groups want new lagoons to be banned and existing ones to be phased out within the next five years. The U.S. EPA this month is weighing whether to impose tougher pollution rules on hog, poultry, and dairy farms. But don’t get your hopes up — the agency under President Bush hasn’t been supportive of tightening clean water rules. Industry representatives say more restrictions on the lagoons could drive some farms out of business.
