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Project Details

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Project Information Sheet 2004-12

Evaluation of contaminant storage and movement at a confined feeding operation

Funding Source:	Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Clean Water Act 104(b)(3) Point-Source Pollution Program
Period of Contract:	1 May 2003 to 14 Dec 2006
Status:	ongoing — Definition of status type
Project Director:	Greg Olyphant, Tracy Branam, and Sally Letsinger

Issue

Several confined feeding operations (CFOs) are being operated in the sandy hydrogeologic settings of southwestern Indiana. Although efforts are made to minimize effects on ground and surface water, there is no certainty that current best management practices are effective in every hydrogeologic setting. Ground water in this area of highly permeable soils and a shallow water table is very sensitive to contamination, and warrants a thorough investigation.

Objective

Data from similar studies indicate that nitrate concentrations are often high; we believe this occurs because rainfall early and late in the growing season flush commercial fertilizers and animal waste before they can be used to promote plant growth. Through our monitoring program, we will track effects that current manure-application practices have on ground-water quality in the area. This will assist personnel of the Office of Land Quality to identify problem situations that may require modification of current rules and management practices.

Approach

Install water sampling devices to monitor three sites: two on fields that receive animal waste applications and a control site that does not receive animal waste applications. We will record storage and movement of ground water and solutes, rates of contaminant-loading of the shallow aquifer, and seepage and surface flow into adjacent ditches and streams. Waste- and commercial fertilizer-application rates supplied by the operators will be compared along with weather conditions, antecedent soil moisture levels, and season, to changes in the contaminant-loading of the unsaturated and saturated zones.

Products

The results should yield a reasonable estimate of the number of animals per acre this type of hydrogeologic setting is able to support, allowing regulators and farmers to plan more effectively. For example, it may be necessary to time the application of animal waste to coincide with particular seasons because weather conditions and plant uptake can assist or hinder the movement of effluent.

Benefits

The results of the study will test the validity of the November 2001 Indiana Confined Feeding Regulation Guidance Manual, particularly the regulation that establishes the acreage required for manure application. The study results will allow Indiana Department of Environmental Management to calibrate application-rate guidance in this rather sensitive hydrogeologic setting, thus benefiting the state's permitting program.

Locations Affected:

Daviess

Indiana House Districts Affected:

63

Indiana Senate Districts Affected:

48

Indiana Congressional Districts Affected:

Information Updated February 1, 2007

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