Summary The investigation had as its principal objects, determination of the microbiological effectiveness of the chlorination of polluted water supplies used for buttermaking, the influence of high chlorine dosages on butter flavour and an examination of the reproducibility of butter grading by subjective methods. A preliminary trial in which pasteurized sweet cream was made into butter using polluted as well as chlorinated water, revealed that there were marked differences in the condition and quality of the finished product. Butter washed with contaminated water developed rancidity within twenty‐one days at 37 to 41 °F. whereas water from the same source, but which contained 5 p. p.m. residual chlorine, resulted in butter which retained a pleasing flavour and aroma for six weeks. In the main experiment, six duplicate lots of unsalted butter were made from ripened cream, using treated and untreated water from the same source, with identical buttermaking methods. The untreated water contained large numbers of psychrophilic bacteria, including Pseudomonas putrefaciens. These organisms grew actively in unsalted butter held at 45 to 50°F. Chlorination of the water with varying dosages of from 10 to 200 p. p.m. available chlorine, sixteen hours before use, resulted in practically a complete destruction of the spoilage organisms. The cream used during the main experiment was ripened at 40 to 50°F. for two days after pasteurizing by the H. T.S. T. method before churning. On microbiological examination, the butter produced from this cream was found to contain large numbers of spoilage organisms, and became rancid within four weeks when stored at 45 to 50°F. However, the microbiological results indicate the superior quality of those butters made with chlorinated water. A consensus of the grading results obtained, substantiates the anticipated superior quality of butter made using chlorinated water, compared with that made with an impure supply. No chlorine taint was detected in the butter, although water containing as much as 100 to 200 p. p.m. residual chlorine had been used in preparing two of the samples. The arbitrary nature of subjective grading is reflected in the differing conclusions arrived at by individual members of the graders' panel.

The University of California Cooperative Extension surveyed rangeland owners and managers who attended California's Ranch Water Quality Planning (RWQP) Short Course in 1995-2002. The survey evaluated the effectiveness of this industry-supported voluntary program by evaluating indicators for short course impacts, including 1) rancher participation in the short courses, 2) completion of nonpoint source self-assessments, 3) completion of ranch water quality plans, and 4) implementation of best management practices (BMPs). This report describes the RWQP short course and ranch water quality plan content including the nonpoint source pollution self-assessment and monitoring. Questionnaires were mailed to 777 short course participants on 5 August 2002 (Round 1). A second survey (Round 2) was mailed to nonrespondents on 7 April 2003. Round 1 and 2 surveys resulted in a 52.9% total adjusted response rate. Citing privacy issues, 28 respondents refused to complete the survey. Round 1 respondents had a significantly higher rate of BMP implementation, but Round 2 respondents invested more personal funds in BMPs. There was a significant relationship (P , 0.001) between plan completion and implementation of BMPs. While the majority of the respondents completed ranch water quality plans and self-assessments, and implemented BMPs, less than 50% of the respondents implemented a monitoring program. Fifty percent of the respondents raised beef cattle, and the majority managed ranches less than 5 000 acres in size. The results of this survey suggest that industry-initiated, voluntary programs supported by education are effective in helping rangeland owners and managers address nonpoint source pollution on their properties. In addition, social surveys are a viable method for landowners to confidentially self-document identified pollution sources and BMP implementation, and to avoid formal reporting to regulatory agencies.