820003_Application-CombinePermits_20200401

Prestage Farms, Inc.
April 1, 2020
Christine Lawson
NCDEQ-DWR
1636 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1636
Subject: Request to combine Certificate of Coverage for McCullen Livestock Company, U.C.
Facility #: 82-656 & 82-003
Sampson County
Dear Christine,
This is a request for a new CDC to combine Facilities 82-656 & 82-003. These two facilities share a
common waste utilization plan, but for some reason when the change of ownership was submitted,
facilities were not combined. I submit this request with the WUP attached, and per our conversation,
the new facility number would be 82-003.
Zack McCullen IV
McCullen Livestock Company, LLC.
1058 Wynn Road
Clinton, NC 28328
Certificate of Coverage No. AWS820003
If you have any questions concerning this request please give me a call at 910-596-5812 or email
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
rLfj(—
Randall N. Barefoot
Prestage Farms, Inc.
Director, Land & Nutrient Management
Technical Specialist
HIGHWAY 421 SOUTH • P.O. BOX 438 • CLINTON, N.C. 28329-0438 • PHONE [phone]

Waste Utilization Plan
Producer: Zack McCullen IV
Name of Farm: McCullen Livestock Co. LLC 1-8 - 9-16
Location: 1058 Wynn Rd.
Clinton NC 28328
Phone: [phone]
County: Sampson
Type of Operation: Feed -Finish
Number of Animal: 11520
Storage Structure: Anaerobic Lagoon
Method of Application: Irrigation
Amount of waste produced per year: 21888 ton/year
Amount of plant available N (PAN) produced/year: 19584 lbs./year
The waste from your animal facility must be land applied at a specified rate to prevent
pollution of surface water and/or groundwater. The plant nutrients in the animal waste
should be used to reduce the amount of commercial fertilizer required for the crops in the
fields where the waste is to be applied.
This waste utilization plan uses nitrogen as the limiting nutrient. Waste should be analyzed
before each application cycle. Annual soil tests are strongly encouraged so that all plant
nutrients can be balanced for realistic yields of the crop to be grown.
Several factors are important in the implementing your waste utilization plan in order to
maximize the fertilizer value of the waste and to ensure that it is applied in an environmentally
safe manner.
1. Always apply waste based on the needs of the crop to be grown and the nutrient
content of the waste. Do not apply more nitrogen than the crop can utilize.
2. Soil types are important as they have different infiltration rates, leaching potentials,
cation exchange capacities, and available water holding capacities.
3. Normally waste shall not be applied to land eroding at more than 5 tons per acre per
year. Waste may be applied to land eroding at 5 or more tons per acre annually, but
less than 10 tons per acre per year providing that adequate filter strips are
established.
4. Do not apply waste on saturated soils, when it is raining, or when the surface is
frozen. Either of these conditions may in runoff to the surface waters which is not
allowed under DWQ regulations.
5. Wind conditions should also be considered to avoid drift and downwind odor problems.
6. To maximize the value of the nutrients for crops production and to reduce the potential for
pollution, the waste should be applied to a growing crop or applied not more than 30 days
prior to planting a crop or forages breaking dormancy. Injecting the waste or disking will
conserve nutrients and reduce odor problems.
This plan is based on the waste application method shown above. If you choose to change methods
in the future, you need to revise this plan. Nutrient levels for different applications methods are
not the same.
The estimated acres needed to apply the animal waste is based on typical nutrient content for
this type of facility. Acreage requirements should be based on the waste analysis report from
your waste management facility. In some cases you may want to have plant analysis made, which

McCullen Livestock Co. LLC 1-8 - 9-16
Page 2
could allow additional waste to be applied. Provisions shall be made for the area receiving
waste to be flexible so as to accommodate changing waste analysis content and the crop type.
Lime must be applied to maintain pH in the optimum range for specific crop production. This
waste utilization plan, if carried out, meets the requirements for compliance with 15A NCAC
2H .0217 adopted by the Environmental Management Commission.
YOUR WASTE UTILIZATION PLAN IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
Tract No.
Pull No.
Soil Type
Crop
Code
Yield/Ac
Lbs. N
unit
Acres
Lbs N
Used
Month to
Apply
Lbs. N
Per Ac.
10298
1
WaB
CB/Hay
5.4
49
3.86
1019
MAR-SEP
264
10298
1
WaB
SG/Hay
1
50
3.86
193
SEP-MAR
50
10298
2
GoA
CB/Hay
6.5
46
2.52
753
MAR-SEP
299
10298
2
GoA
SG/Hay
1
50
2.52
126
SEP-MAR
50
10298
3
NoA
CB/Hay
6.5
46
2.19
655
MAR-SEP
299
10298
3
NoA
SG/Hay
1
50
2.19
1101
SEP-MAR
50
10298
4
NoA
CB/Hay
6.5
46
3.85
1151
MAR-SEP
299
10298
4
NoA
SG/Hay
1
50
3.85
193
SEP-MAR
50
10298
5
NoA
CB/Hay
6.5
46
5.66
1692
MAR-SEP
299
10298
5
NoA
SG/Hay
1
50
5.66
283
SEP-MAR
50
10298
6
GoA
CB/Hay
6.5
46
4.41
1319
MAR-SEP
299
10298
6
GoA
SG/Hay
1
50
4.41
221
SEP-MAR
50
11738
7
NoA
CB/Hay
6.5
46
2.13
637
MAR-SEP
299
11738
7
NoA
SG/Hay
1
50
2.13
1071
SEP-MAR
50
11738
8
NoA
CB/Hay
6.5
46
3.09
924
MAR-SEP
299
11738
8
NoA
SG/Hay
1
50
3.09
155
SEP-MAR
50
11738
9
NoA
CB/Hay
6.5
46
3.62
1082
MAR-SEP
299
11738
9
NoA
SG/Hay
1
50
3.62
181
SEP-MAR
50
10298
Pivotl
WaB
CB/Hay
5.4
49
22.67
5985
MAR-SEP
264
10298
Pivotl
M
SG/Hay
1
50
22.67
1134
SEP-MAR
50
10298
Pivotl
NoA
CB/Hay
6.5
46
13.021
3893
MAR-SEP
299
10298
Pivot
NoA I
SG/Hay I
1 1
50 1
13.021
6511
SEP-MAR 1
50
Total 67.01 22461 lbs.
Available Nitrogen 19584 lbs.
Surplus or deficit -2877 lbs.
Applying the above amount of waste is a bigjob. You should plan time and have appropriate equipment to apply
the waste in a timely manner.

McCullen Livestock Co. LLC 1-8 - 9-16 Page 3
The applicator is cautioned that P and K may be over applied while meeting the N requirements. In the future,
regulations may require farmers in some parts of North Carolina to have a nutrient management plan that
addresses all nutrients.. This plan only addresses nitrogen.
In interplanted fields (i.e. small grain, etc. interseeded in bermudagrass), forage must be removed through
grazing, hay and /or silage. Where grazing, plants should be grazed when they reach a height of six to nine
inches. Cattle should be removed when plants are grazed to a height of four inches. In fields where small grain
etc. is to be removed for hay or silage, care should be exercised not to let small grain to reach maturity,
especially late in the season ( i.e. April or May) Shading may result if small grain gets too high and this will
definitely interfere with the stand of bermudagrass. This loss of stand will result in reduced yields and less
nitrogen being utilized. Ratherthan cutting small grain for hay or silage just before heading as is the normal
situation, you are encouraged to cut the small grain earlier. You may want to consider harvesting hay or silage
two to three times during the season, depending on the time small grain is planted in the fall.
The ideal time to interplant small grain, etc. is late September or early October. Drilling is recommended over
broadcasting. Bermudagrass should be grazed or mowed to a height of about two inches before drilling for best
results.
Caution must be exercised in grazing or haying summer annuals under stressed conditions. Nitrate poisoning
may occur in livestock. Sampling forage or hay for nitrate levels is recommended.
Acres shown in the tables are considered to be the usable acres excluding required buffers, filters strips along
ditches, odd areas unable to be irrigated, and perimeter areas not receiving full application rates due to
equipment limitations. Actual total acres in the field listed may, and most likely will be, more than the acres
shown in the tables.
See attached map showing the fields to be used for the utilization of animal waste.
SLUDGE APPLICATION:
The waste utilization plan must contain provisions for periodic land application of sludge at agronomic rates.
The sludge will be nutrient rich and will require precautionary measures to prevent over application of nutrients
or other elements. Your production facility will produce approximately 4147 lbs. of plant available
nitrogen per year in the sludge.
If you remove sludge every 5 years you will have approximately 20736 lbs. of PAN to utilize. Assuming
you apply this PAN to hybrid bermudagrass hayland at the rate of 300lbs/acre you will need 69
acres of land. If you apply the sludge to corn at the rate of 125 lbs. of nitrogen per acre you will need 166
acres of land. Please be aware that these are only estimates of the PAN and the land needed. Actual
requirements could vary by 25% depending on the sludge waste analysis, soil types, realistic yields, and
application methods.
APPLICATION OF WASTE BY IRRIGATION
The irrigation application rate should not exceed the intake rate of the soil at the time of irrigation such that
runoff or ponding occurs. This rate is limited by initial soil moisture content, soil structure, soil texture, water
droplet size, and organic solids. The application amount should not exceed the available water holding capacity

McCullen Livestock Co. LLC 1-8 - 9-16
Page 4
of the soil at the time of irrigation nor should the plant available nitrogen applied exceed the nitrogen needs of
the crop.
If surface irrigation is the method of land application for this plan, it is the responsibility of the producer and
irrigation designer to ensure that an irrigation system is installed to properly irrigate the acres shown in tables.
Failure to apply the recommended rates and amounts of nitrogen shown in the tables may make this plan
invalid.
The following table is provided as a guide for establishing application rates and amounts.
Tract No.
Field No.
Soil Type
Crop
Code
Applic.
Rate(in/hr)
Applic.
Amount
10298
1
WaB
CB/Hay
0.6
1.0
10298
1
WaB
SG/Hay
0.6
1.0
10298
2
GoA
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
2
GoA
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
3
NoA
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
3
NoA
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
4
NoA
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
4
NoA
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
5
NoA
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
5
NoA
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
6
GoA
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
6
GoA
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0
11738
7
NoA
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
11738
7
NoA
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0
11738
8
NoA
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
11738
8
NoA
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0
11738
9
NoA
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
11738
9
NoA
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
Pivotl
WaB
CB/Hay
0.6
1.0
10298
Pivot
WaB
SG/Hay
0.6
1.0
10298
Pivot 2
NoA
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
10298
Pivot 2
NoA
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0

McCullen Livestock Co. LLC 1-8 - 9-16
Page 5
This is the maximum application amount allowed for the soil assuming the amount of nitrogen allowed for the
crop is not over applied. In many situations the application amount shown cannot be applied because of the
nitrogen limitations. The maximum application amount shown can be applied under optimum soil conditions.
Your facility is designed for 180 days of temporary storage and the temporary storage must be removed on the
average of once every 6 months. In no instances should the volume of the waste be stored in your structure
be within the 25 year 24 hour storm storage or one foot of freeboard except in the event of the 25 year 24 hour
storm.
It is the responsibility of the producer and the waste applicator to ensure that the spreader equipment is operated
properly to apply the correct rates shown in the tables. Failure to apply the recommended rates and amounts of
nitrogen shown in the tables may make this plan invalid.
Call your technical specialist after you have receive the waste analysis report for assistance in determining the
amount of waste per acre and the proper application rate prior to applying the waste.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATION

McCullen Livestock Co. LLC 1-8 - 9-16 Page 6
WASTE UTILIZATION PLAN
REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS
1. Animal waste shall not reach surface waters of the state by runoff, drift, manmade
conveyances, direct application, or direct discharge during operation or land application.
Any discharge of waste which reaches surface water is prohibited.
2. There must be documentation in the design folder that the producer either owns or has an
agreement for use of adequate land on which to properly apply waste. If the producer
does not own adequate land to properly dispose of waste , he/she shall provide a copy of
an agreement with a landowner who is within a reasonable proximity, allowing him/her the
use of the land for waste application. It is the responsibility of the owner of the facility to
secure an update of the Waste Utilization Plan when there is a change in the operation,
increase in the number of animals, method of utilization, or available land.
3. Animal waste shall be applied to meet, but not exceed, the nitrogen needs for realistic crop
yields based on soil type, available moisture, historical data, climatic conditions, and level
of management, unless there are regulations that restrict the rate of application for other
nutrients.
4. Animal waste shall be applied to land eroding less than 5 tons per acre per year. Waste
may be applied to land that is eroding at 5 or more tons, but less than 10 tons per acre per
year providing grass filter strips are installed where runoff leaves the field. (See FOTG
standard 393 - Filter Strip).
5. Odors can be reduced by injecting the waste or disking after waste application. Waste
should not be applied when there is danger of drift from the irrigation field.
6. When animal waste is to be applied on acres subject to flooding, it will be soil incorporated
on conventionally tilled cropland. When applied to conservation tilled crops or grassland,
the waste may be broadcast provided the application does not occur during a season
prone to flooding. (See "Weather and Climate in North Carolina" for guidance.)
7. Liquid waste shall be applied at rates not to exceed the soil infiltration rate that runoff
does not occur offsite or to the surface waters and in a method which does not cause drift
from the site during application. No ponding should occur in order to control odor or flies.
8. Animal waste shall not be applied to saturated soils, during rainfall events, or when the
surface is frozen.
9. Animal waste shall be applied on actively growing crops in such a manner that the crop is
not covered with waste to a depth that would inhibit growth. The potential for salt damage
from animal waste should also be considered.
10. Waste nutrients shall not be applied in fall or winter for spring planted crops on soils with a
high potential for leaching. Waste nutrient loading rates on these soils should be held to a
minimum and a suitable winter cover crop planted to take up released nutrients. Waste
shall not be applied more than 30 days prior to planting of the crop or forages breaking
dormancy.
11. Any new swine facility sited on or after October 1, 1995 shall comply with the following:
The outer perimeter of the land area onto which waste is applied from a lagoon that is a
component of a swine farm shall be at least 50 feet from any residential property boundary
and from any perennial stream or river (other than an irrigation ditch or canal. Animal
waste other than swine waste from facilities sited on or after October 1, 1995), shall not be
applied closer than 25 feet to perennial waters. (See Standard 393 - Filter Strips).

McCullen Livestock Co. LLC 1-8 - 9-16 Page 7
REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS
(continued)
12. Animal waste shall not be applied closer than 100 feet to wells.
13. Animal waste shall not be applied closer than 200 feet of dwellings other than those owned
by he landowner.
14. Waste shall be applied in a manner not to reach other property and public right-of-ways.
15. Animal waste shall not be discharged into surface waters, drainage ways, or wetlands by
discharge or by over -spraying. Animal waste may be applied to prior converted wetlands
provided they have been approved as a land application site by a "technical specialist'.
Animal waste shall not be applied on grassed waterways that discharge directly into water
courses, and on other grassed waterways, waste shall be applied at agronomic rates in a
manner that causes no runoff or drift from the site.
16. Domestic and industrial waste from wash down facilities, showers, toilets, sinks, etc., shall
not be discharged into the animal waste management system.
17. A protective cover of appropriate vegetation will be established on all disturbed areas
(lagoon embankments, berms, pipe runs, etc.). Areas shall be fenced as necessary to
protect the vegetation. Vegetation such as trees, shrubs, and other woody species, etc.,
are limited to areas where considered appropriate. Lagoon areas should be kept mowed
and accessible. Berms and structures should be inspected regularly for evidences of
erosion, leakage or discharge.
18. If animal production at the facility is to be suspended or terminated, the owner is
responsible for obtaining and implementing a "closure plan" which will eliminate the
possibility of an illegal discharge, pollution and erosion.
19. Waste handling structures, piping pumps, reels, etc., should be inspected on a regular
basis to prevent breakdowns, leaks and spills. A regular maintenance checklist should be
kept on site.
20. Animal waste can be used in a rotation that includes vegetation and other crops for direct
human consumption. However, if animal waste is used on crops for direct human
consumption it should only be applied pre -plant with no further applications of animal waste
during the crop season.
21. Highly visible markers shall be installed to mark the top and the bottom elevations of the
temporary storage (pumping volume) of all waste treatment lagoons. Pumping shall be
managed to maintain the liquid level between the markers. A marker will be required to
mark the maximum storage volume for waste storage ponds.
22. Waste shall be tested within 60 days of utilization and soil shall be tested at least annually
at crop sites where waste products are applied. Nitrogen shall be the rate -determining
element. Zinc and copper levels in the soil shall be monitored and alternative crop sites
shall be used when these metal approach excessive levels. pH shall be adjusted for
optimum crop production and maintained. Soil and waste analysis records shall be kept
for five (5) years. Poultry dry waste application records shall be maintained for three (3)
years. Waste application records for all other waste shall be maintained for five (5) years.
23. Dead animals will be disposed of in a manner that meets North Carolina regulations.

Page 8
WASTE UTILIZATION PLAN AGREEMENT
Name of Farm: McCullen Livestock Co. LLC 1-8 - 9-16
Owner/Manager Agreement Zack McCullen IV
I (we) understand and will follow and implement the specifications and the operation and maintenance proce-
dures established in the approved animal waste utilization plan for the farm named above. I (we) know that any
expansion to the existing design capacity of the waste treatment and storage system or construction of new
facilities will require a new certification to be submitted to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality
before the new animals are stocked. I (we) also understand that there must be no discharge of animal waste
from this system to the surface waters of the state from a storm event less severe than the 25-year, 24 hour
storm. The approved plan will be filed on -site at the farm office and at the office of the local Soil and Water
Conservation District and will be available for review by NCDWQ upon request.
Name of Facility Owner: / Zack Mc pWn IV
Signature:
Name of Managger (If different from owner)
Signature:
Name of Person Preparing Plan:
Affiliation: Prestage Farms, Inc.
Address: P.O. Box438
Clinton, NC 28329
G. Glenn Clifton
Phone: [phone]
Date:
Date:

N
Proper lagoon management should be a year-round priority. It is especially important to manage
levels so that you do not have problems during extended rainy and wet periods.
Maximum storage capacity should be available in the lagoon for periods when the receiving crop is
dormant (such as wintertime for bermudagrass) or when there are extended rainy spells such as a
thunderstorm season in the summertime. This means that at the first sign of plant growth in the
later winter / early spring, irrigation according to a farm waste management plan should be done
whenever the land in dry enough to receive lagoon liquid. This will make storage space available in
the lagoon for future wet periods. In the late summer / early fall the lagoon should be pumped down
to the low marker (see Figure 2-1) to allow for winter storage. Every effort should be made to
maintain the lagoon close to the minimum liquid level as long as the weather and waste utilization
plan will allow it.
Waiting until the lagoon has reached its maximum storage capacity before starting to irrigated does
not leave room for storing excess water during extended wet periods. Overflow from the lagoon for
any reason except a 25-year, 24-hour storm is a violation of state law and subject to penalty action.
The routine maintenance of a lagoon involves the following
Maintenance of a vegetative cover for the dam. Fescue or common bermudagrass
are the most common vegetative covers. The vegetation should be fertilized each
year, if needed, to maintain a vigorous stand. The amount of fertilized applied
should be based on a soils test, but in the event that it is not practical to obtain a
soils test each year, the lagoon embankment and surrounding areas should be
fertilized with 800 pounds per acre of 10-10-10, or equivalent.
Brush and trees on the embankment must be controlled. This may be done by
mowing, spraying, grazing, chopping, . or a combination of these practices. This
should be done at least once a year and possibly twice in years that weather
conditions are favorable for heavy vegetative growth.
NOTE: If vegetation is controlled by spraying, the herbicide must not be allowed to enter the lagoon
water. Such chemicals could harm the bacteria in the lagoon that are treating the waste.
Maintenance inspections of the entire lagoon should be made during the initial filling of the lagoon
and at least monthly and after major rainfall and storm events. Items to be checked should include,
as a minimum, the following:
Waste Inlet Pipes, Recycling Pipes, and Overflow Pipes -- look for:
1. separation of joints
2. cracks or breaks
3. accumulation of salts or minerals
4. overall condition of pipes

Lagoon surface -- look for:
1. undesirable vegetative growth
2. floating or lodged debris
Embankment -- look for:
1. settlement, cracking, or "jug" holes
2. side slope stability -- slumps or bulges
3. wet or damp areas on the back slope
4. erosion due to lack or vegetation or as a result of wave action
5. rodent damage
Larger lagoons may be subject to liner damage due to wave action caused by strong
winds. These waves can erode the lagoon sidewalls, thereby weakening the lagoon dam.
A good stand of vegetation will reduce the potential damage caused by wave action. If
wave action causes serious damage to a lagoon sidewall, baffles in the lagoon may be
used to reduce the wave impacts.
Any of these features could lead to erosion and weakening of the dam. If your lagoon
has any of these features, you should call an appropriate expert familiar with design and
construction of waste lagoons. You may need to provide a temporary fix if there is a
threat of a waste discharge. However, a permanent solution should be reviewed by the
technical expert. Any digging into a lagoon dam with heavy equipment is a serious
undertaking with potentially serious consequences and should not be conducted unless
recommended by an appropriate technical expert.
Transfer Pumps -- check for proper operation of:
1. recycling pumps
2. irrigation pumps
Check for leaks, loose fittings, and overall pump operation. An unusually loud or grinding
noise, or a large amount of vibration, may indicate that the pump is in need of repair or
replacement.
(VOTE: Pumping systems should be inspected and operated frequently enough so that
you are not completely "surprised" by equipment failure. You should perform your
pumping system maintenance at a time when your lagoon is at its low level. This will
allow some safety time should major repairs be required. Having a nearly full lagoon is
not the time to think about switching, repairing, or borrowing pumps. Probably, if your
lagoon is full, your neighbor's lagoon is full also. You should consider maintaining an
inventory of spare parts or pumps.
® Surface water diversion features are designed to carry all surface drainage
waters (such as rainfall runoff, roof drainage, gutter outlets, and parking lot
runoff) away from your lagoon and other waste treatment or storage
structures. The only water that should be coming from your lagoon is that
which comes from your flushing (washing) system pipes and the rainfall that
hits the lagoon directly. You should inspect your diversion system for the
following:
1. adequate vegetation
2. diversion capacity
3. ridge berm height

Identified problems should be corrected promptly. It is advisable to inspect your system
during or immediately following a heavy rain. If technical assistance is needed to
determine proper solutions, consult with appropriate experts.
You should record the level of the lagoon just prior to when rain is predicted, and then
record the level again 4 to 6 hours after the rain (assumes there is no pumping). This will
give you an idea of how much your lagoon level will rise with a certain rainfall amount
(you must also be recording your rainfall for this to work). Knowing this should help in
planning irrigation applications and storage. If your lagoon rises excessively, you may
have an overflow problem from a surface water diversion or there may be seepage into
the lagoon from the surrounding land.
Lagoon Operation
Immediately after construction establish a complete sod cover on bare soil
surfaces to avoid erosion.
2. Fill new lagoon design treatment volume at least half full of water before waste
loading begins, taking care not to erode lining or bank slopes.
3. Drainpipes into the lagoon should have a flexible pipe extender on the end of the
pipe to discharge near the bottom of the lagoon during initial filling or another
means of slowing the incoming water to avoid erosion of the lining.
4. When possible, begin loading new lagoons in the spring to maximize bacterial
establishment (due to warmer weather).
5. It is recommended that a new lagoon be seeded with sludge from a healthy
working swine lagoon in the amount of 0.25 percent of the full lagoon liquid
volume. This seeding should occur at least two weeks prior to the addition of
wastewater.
6. Maintain a periodic check on the lagoon liquid pH. If the pH falls below 7.0, add
agricultural lime at the rate of 1 pound per 1000 cubic feet of lagoon liquid volume
until the pH rises above 7.0. Optimum lagoon liquid pH is between 7.5 and 8.0.
7. A dark color, lack of bubbling, and excessive odor signals inadequate biological
activity. Consultation with a technical specialist is recommended if these
conditions occur for prolonged periods, especially during the warm season.
Load'ung:
The more frequently and regularly that wastewater is
lagoon will function. Flush systems that wash waste
are optimum for treatment. Pit recharge systems, i
n
4

® Practice water conservation --- minimize building water usage and spillage from
leaking waterers, broken pipes and washdown through proper maintenance and water
conservation.
® Minimize feed wastage and spillage by keeping feeders adjusted. This will reduce the
amount of solids entering the lagoon.
Management:
® Maintain lagoon liquid level between the permanent storage level and the full
temporary storage level.
® Place visible markers or stakes on the lagoon bank to show the minimum liquid level
and the maximum liquid level. (Figure 2-1).
® Start irrigating at the earliest possible date in the spring based on nutrient
requirements and soil moisture so that temporary storage will be maximized for the
summer thunderstorm season. Similarly, irrigate in the late summer / early fall to
provide maximum lagoon storage for the winter.
® The lagoon liquid level should never be closer than 1 foot to the lowest point of the
dam or embankment.
® Don not pump the lagoon liquid level lower than the permanent storage level unless
you are removing sludge.
® Locate float pump intakes approximately 18 inches underneath the liquid surface and
as far away from the drainpipe inlets as possible.
® Prevent additions of bedding materials, long-stemmed forage or vegetation, molded
feed, plastic syringes, or other foreign materials into the lagoon.
® Frequently remove solids from catch basins at end of confinement houses or
wherever they are installed.
® Maintain strict vegetation, rodent, and varmint control near lagoon edges.
® Do not allow trees or large bushes to grow on lagoon dam or embankment.
® Remove sludge from the lagoon either when the sludge storage capacity is full or
before it fills 50 percent of the permanent storage volume.
® If animal production is to be terminated, the owner is responsible for obtaining and
implementing a closure plan to eliminate the possibility of a pollutant discharge.
Sludge Removal:
Rate of lagoon sludge buildup can be reduced by:
5

• proper lagoon sizing,
• mechanical solids separation of flushed waste,
• gravity settling of flushed waste solids in an appropriately designed basin, or
• minimizing feed wastage and spillage.
Lagoon sludge that is removed annually rather than stored long term will:
• have more nutrients,
• have more odor, and
• require more land to properly use the nutrients.
Removal techniques:
• Hire a custom applicator
• Mix the sludge and lagoon liquid with a chopper - agitator impeller pump through large -
bore sprinkler irrigation system onto nearby cropland; and soil incorporate.
• Dewater the upper part of lagoon by irrigation onto nearby cropland or forageland; mix
remaining sludge; pump into liquid sludge applicator; haul and spread onto cropland or
forageland; and soil incorporate.
• Dewater the upper part of lagoon by irrigation onto nearby cropland or forageland;
dredge sludge from lagoon with dragline or sludge barge; berm an area beside lagoon
to receive the sludge so that liquids can drain back into lagoon; allow sludge to
dewater; haul and spread with manure spreader onto cropland or forageland; and soil
incorporate.
Regardless of the method, you must have the sludge material analyzed for waste
constituents just as you would your lagoon water. The sludge will contain different
nutrient and metal values from the liquid. The application of the sludge to fields will be
limited by these nutrients as well as any previous waste applications to that field and crop
requirement. Waste application rates will be discussed in detail in Chapter 3.
When removing sludge, you must also pay attention to the liner to prevent damage.
Close attention by the pumper or drag -line operator will ensure that the lagoon liner
remains intact. If you see soil material or the synthetic liner material being disturbed, you
should stop the activity immediately and not resume until you are sure that the sludge can
be removed without liner injury. If the liner is damaged it must be repaired as soon as
possible.
Sludge removed from the lagoon has a much higher phosphorus and heavy metal content
than liquid. Because of this it should probably be applied to land with low phosphorus and
metal levels, as indicated by a soil test, and incorporated to reduce the chance of erosion.
Note that if the sludge is applied to fields with very high soil -test phosphors, it should be
applied only at rates equal to the crop removal of phosphorus. As with other wastes,
always have your lagoon sludge analyzed for its nutrient value.

The application of sludge will increase the amount of odor at the waste application site.
Extra precaution should be used to observe the wind direction and other conditions which
could increase the concern of neighbors.
Possible Causes of Lagoon Failure
Lagoon failures result in the unplanned discharge of wastewater from the structure.
Types of failures include leakage through the bottom or sides, overtopping, and breach of
the dam. Assuming proper design and construction, the owner has the responsibility for
ensuring structure safety. Items which may lead to lagoon failures include:
® Modification of the lagoon structure -- an example is the placement of a pipe in the dam
without proper design and construction. (Consult an expert in lagoon design before
placing any pipes in dams.)
® Lagoon liquid levels -- high levels are a safety risk.
® Failure to inspect and maintain the dam.
® Excess surface water flowing into the lagoon.
® Liner integrity — protect from inlet pipe scouring, damage during sludge removal, or
rupture from lowering lagoon liquid level below groundwater table.
(VOTE: If lagoon water is allowed to overtop the dam, the moving water will soon cause
gullies to form in the dam. Once this damage starts, it can quickly cause a large
discharge of wastewater and possible dam failure.