Waste Storage Facility
An agricultural waste storage structure is made by building a walled structure or by excavating a pit. The purpose is to store waste, whether it is manure, waste water, or dead animals, until it can be composted or shipped somewhere off site. A stacking facility is used for wastes that are solid and can be open or roofed.
Liquid and slurry wastes are contained in storage tanks. Storage tanks can be roofed or unroofed, may be under slotted floors, and inside or outside and enclosure. Waste storage structures are planned components of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) or a Waste Management System (WMS).
Certain guidelines must be met before one can be constructed. The facility cannot add to the pollution of air or water. Site conditions such as the soils, geology, and topography must be favorable before considering the construction of a facility. The size and shape of the waste storage structure should allow for easy access and use by the operator however, the proximity of the structure to homes, wells, wetlands, streams, and milking operations should be considered.
The facility should be designed to hold a specified volume of waste for a specific period of time. Waste by livestock and poultry varies greatly and a structure should be sized based on actual production. Waste storage structures vary in size from small wooden composting bins to large metal slurry tanks. Waste storage structures can be built out of poured concrete walls, prefab concrete walls, wooden boards, or large round slurry tanks. The local soil conservation district has pre-approved design plans to help you design the appropriate size and type of facility.
