Manure Spills

October 2008

Livestock producers generally handle manure properly.  However, it is understood that even the best maintained equipment can and does fail, resulting in manure possibly being placed in an inappropriate location.  Among a host of equipment failures are pump breakdowns, hose ruptures, transport unit rollovers and end gate neglect.

Manure is an organic and relatively inert material, so the environmental risk of a release is usually low.  Regardless, it is prudent to take action to reduce potential impacts of manure spills.

Regulations

Liquid manure spills of greater than 200 L that occur off-site must be reported to Saskatchewan Environment.  Spills on property owned by the livestock producer, and on property to which the producer has access for manure application are considered "on-site".  Municipal right-of-ways, railway property and drainage ditches are considered "off-site".  Note that 200 L of liquid manure represents approximately the amount of granular fertilizer required to feed a typical city lawn of 100 m².

Manure spills contained to the property of the operation are not required to be reported to Saskatchewan Environment.  For example, a manure storage that overflows and does not leave the owner's property does not need to be reported to Saskatchewan Environment by law.  Reporting the spill to Agricultural Operations of Saskatchewan Agriculture is recommended and appreciated.  To do so, please complete a Manure Spill Report.

The Environmental Spill Control Regulations specifically exclude from the definition of a spill, "...the intentional, lawful and prudent use of a pollutant for a purpose, and in a manner that is generally recognized and accepted as ordinary and normal."

Liquid manure is subject to ponding during the typical manure application procedure.  For example, clean-out of hoses following manure application will create a pond.  When injectors are removed from the ground at headlands, liquid manure will remain on the surface briefly.  This is not considered a spill.

Earthen Manure Storage

It is unlikely that a properly managed earthen manure storage would overflow.  Earthen manure storages designed to current standards will hold 400 days of manure production, and provide an additional 0.6 m of freeboard.  The following actions help prevent overflows:

• Regular inspections of the manure storage
• Monitor elevation of manure level
• Maintain 0.6 metres freeboard
• Establish capacity for 400 days storage
• Minimize water usage

Liquid manure is typically transferred to the storage from the barn through underground pipelines.  Care should be taken during installation of the lines to ensure they are protected from damage, that seals are properly fitted, and the bed is free of any sharp obejcts such as rocks.  In the event that an underground line ruptures and manure appears on the ground surface, this is not considered a reportable spill.  It is recommended to excavate the contaminated soil and land spread at appropriate rates according to the nitrogen content.

The following actions help minimize spills while pumping liquid manure:

• Consider spills when planning routes for tankers and hoses
• Monitor line pressure
• Be prepared to stop the pump with either a remote switch or radios
• Prepare contingency plans to respond to spills
• Have clean-up equipment readily available such as pumps, hoses and shovels
• Have equipment and materials readily available to construct temporary containment

To report a spill, contact: