Fall 2001
Gravity unloading slurrystores are now legal
by Karen Grimes, Department of Natural Resources
Producers can now legally use gravity unloading of aboveground manure storage systems in Iowa because of a new rule passed by the Environmental Protection Commission in June. Producers can use gravity to pump these out, provided they implement the following practices:
- two or more shutoff valves on external outlets or inlets below the liquid level, with at least one of the valves located inside the structure;
- a protective barricade around all external outlets or inlets;
- construction that complies with the manufacturer’s requirements; and
- an emergency response plan that indicates how manure will be retained and cleaned up if the structure fails or there is an accidental discharge.
The emergency response plan should include the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) phone numbers that must be called to report a manure release or spill, and a list of contractors, equipment, technical support, and alternative sites that can be used for storage or land application in bad weather.
The phone numbers that producers should call include any of the following DNR field offices during normal work hours: Manchester at (563) 927-2640, Mason City at (641) 424-4073, Spencer at (712) 262-4177, Atlantic at (712) 243-1934, Des Moines at (515) 725-0268, or Washington at (319) 653-2135. After normal work hours, producers should call DNR at (515) 281-8694 and contact their local police department or county sheriff’s office. Spills or manure releases must be reported as soon as possible but not later than 6 hours after the release occurred or was discovered.
| For more information about developing an emergency response plan, please review a copy of ISU Extension publication PM 1859, Emergency Action Plans. This publication is available by contacting ISU Extension Distribution Center, 119 Printing and Publications Building, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3171, phone (515) 294-5247, Fax (515) 294-2945. |
