Silage effluent storage

[Bob R]

Hi

We have to install a new effluent store for our clamps which needs to be 58m3.

What are others doing for storage that meets the relevant specs?

58m3 would be a Big tank, are others doing a lagoon instead?

thanks

 

[ForkieX30]

I used to work for a contractor doing silage and slurry. Every farm I went to had it draining straight into the main slurry lagoon. Except for the ones who let it run down the road of course.

58m is only 2 artic lorries, surely that would fill up quick in heavy rain?

 

[som farmer]

l might be wrong, but our jobsworth EA person, seemed to think 20,000 litres was max needed. Which was the size we had to put in.

but, how much effluent do we actually produce, very little here.

 

[ForkieX30]

From gov.uk:

The minimum capacity rules for effluent tanks should give you at least 2 days’ storage at peak flow. However, it’s up to you to make sure you’ve got enough capacity to avoid the risk of pollution.

Silo capacity	Minimum effluent tank capacity
Up to 1,500 cubic metres	20 litres for each cubic metre
Over 1,500 cubic metres	30 cubic metres, plus 6.7 litres for each cubic metre of silo capacity over 1,500 cubic metres

2 days doesn't sound much but there you go.

Personally I'd go for the big hole in the ground, you don't want to come home to find the pump is broken. Also less chance of a leak causing major issues. Keep it simple.

 

[AftonShepherd]

How much would it cost to register yourself as a water company so you can just let it go without punishment if you haven't enough storage?

 

[ringi]

A lot will depend if you have a cover/roof system and drain system that provable seperates rains from the effluent.

I assume without a rain seperating system the very dilute efficient can be used to wash floors etc into the slurry store.

 

[som farmer]

how much effluent actually comes from silage these days ? There really shouldn't be much at all, the money spent putting our new tank in, was sheer waste, haven't had to empty it, in 3 or 4 years.

but it ticks a box.

 

[Rich_ard]

I used to work for a contractor doing silage and slurry. Every farm I went to had it draining straight into the main slurry lagoon. Except for the ones who let it run down the road of course.

58m is only 2 artic lorries, surely that would fill up quick in heavy rain?

Surface water wouldn't need to go in the tank.

 

[Rich_ard]

Hi

We have to install a new effluent store for our clamps which needs to be 58m3.

What are others doing for storage that meets the relevant specs?

58m3 would be a Big tank, are others doing a lagoon instead?

thanks

Are they going to know you only put 1 20000 l tank In. It wouldn't be the cost of the tank it would be ground works sorting it all out.

 

[Wesley]

Are they going to know you only put 1 20000 l tank In. It wouldn't be the cost of the tank it would be ground works sorting it all out.

If they've visited & told you what needs doing I imagine they would want evidence that the tank installed meets spec

 

[ringi]

how much effluent actually comes from silage these days ? There really shouldn't be much at all, the money spent putting our new tank in, was sheer waste, haven't had to empty it, in 3 or 4 years.

but it ticks a box.

But how can this quality silage making be defined and enforced? Regulations are mostly design to limit the harm the people who care the least do to the environment.

 

[Farmer Keith]

As we have more than 6 months capacity I put a 5000 litre plastic tank in with a submersible pump taking the effluent back to the main store as the silage pits are below the reception pit. You can’t pump it under slats due to the potential of a release of gasses. The EA came and signed it off so you’ll need to follow the guidelines.

 

[som farmer]

But how can this quality silage making be defined and enforced? Regulations are mostly design to limit the harm the people who care the least do to the environment.

it can't be.

but todays silage, is generally much drier than we used to make.

can remember getting up at 3.00am, to suck out the effluent tank, because it was filling up to quickly. Haven't even worried about effluent for decades.

but rules is rules, and jobsworth was reading his book of them. One thing to realise, if you are 'told' to do something to your pit, ie a tank, you HAVE to get it approved by EA beforehand.

he 'condemned' our pit, till we put the tank in, came just before 1st cut. Rung us up again, after a few weeks, 'l expect you put 1st cut, into that clamp', and we hadn't, which surprised him. I often wonder what would have happened if l had answered yes. Pretty certain we wouldn't have liked it.