A story made the rounds the past week or two about efforts by Morro Bay city officials to stop excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers suspected of tainting a key source of drinking water.
According to the brief AP version of the story that appeared in the San Jose Mercury News, city officials are now asking farmers to voluntarily stop using nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Reporter Sonya Patel sought comment from UCCE farm advisor Hugh Smith, who said asking farmers not to use nitrogen-based fertilizers is like asking them not to use water, according to the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
“Plants need nitrogen,” Smith is quoted in the article. “It’s basic to life forms including plant growth.”
Asking farmers to reduce how much they use is a separate issue that could be accomplished by working with growers, Smith added, according to the story.
Today, the Morro Bay City Council will discuss the Morro Valley nitrate analysis at its meeting today at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 209 Surf St., in Morro Bay.