Solids from animal wastes include manure itself and other components that have been mixed with it. In terms of impacts on public water supplies, solids provide a medium for the accumulation and transport of other pollutants such as pathogens, nutrients and trace elements. They may also adversely affect the taste and odor of source waters. Increased solids loadings may at times prove difficult to remove for some water treatment facilities. Solids also can cause environmental effects by increasing the turbidity of surface waters, thus limiting the growth of aquatic plants that serve as habitat for fish, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms. Settled solids can interfere with the habitat of bottom-dwelling organisms (USEPA, 2003a).
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