The study to see if nitrates are making their way into the aquifers around municipal wells 7 and 8 was requested by Brockton and the local Source Water Protection Committee.
It covers an area of over four thousand acres in Brockton and South Bruce.
Over half of the landowners in the area took part.
The study shows nitrate levels in municipal well water are coming from manure and not chemical fertilizers.
Consultant Jeff Bannerman of Crop Quest says nitrate levels are within acceptable limits and best farming practices are being followed but the time of year when manure is applied on fields will lead to higher levels of nitrates in the water.
He says the nitrates get into the water easier when manure is spread in the late summer or in the fall when crops aren’t there to take in the nitrogen instead.
Bannerman says manure should be applied to living crops or stored until spring.
Bannerman says they’re trying to take a proactive approach in order to prevent future problems.
Councillor Chris Peabody says he was surprised to find out the source of the nitrates getting into the water is manure and not chemical fertilizer.
Geography is another reason nitrates are making their way into the water more easily.
The area around Walkerton is called a karst formation and has extremely good drainage.
Nitrates in water can lead to various health problems, including Blue Baby Syndrome, where infants are born with a bluish skin colour.