New Technologies For Animal Waste Pollution Control (Completed)

Project photo

Large concentrations of dairies in Central Texas have led to concerns about high levels of phosphorus runoff into the North Bosque and Leon river basins. In addition, several other Texas regions are dealing with problems caused by excess concentrations of nutrients in rivers and lakes. Technologies for reducing nutrient levels in wastes from concentrated animal feeding operations and other sources are being identified, evaluated and field-tested. Once assessments are completed, results will be communicated to dairy managers and other stakeholders and will provide critical information about costs and effectiveness of the demonstrated technologies.

Objectives

  • Test five new technologies for their efficiency in reducing nutrient levels in cattle wastes as well as their cost effectiveness in Central Texas dairies
  • Conduct a demonstration to evaluate effects of incorporating residual material from dairy waste contained within a geotextile tube into soil used to produce sod
  • Conduct demonstrations and outreach efforts to educate stakeholders about results

Components

  • Evaluation: New technologies are being evaluated for efficacy in reducing phosphorus and nutrients from dairy wastes, as well as cost effectiveness, treatment efficiency and ease of adoption. Each technology is demonstrated for a period of at least three months.
  • Education and Outreach: Field days and educational programs are being conducted. Dairy producers, other stakeholders and the public are invited to view these technologies in the North Bosque River and Leon River basins. A guidance document for operators will also be developed.

Accomplishments

  • Three demonstrations have been completed thus far. A final report for each of the demonstrations is available online and describes the process for each of the demonstrated technologies, their effectiveness and respective costs.

Collaborators

  • Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas A&M AgriLife
  • Texas AgriLife Extension
  • Brazos River Authority
  • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
  • Texas Farm Bureau
  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Funding Agencies

  • Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Fact Sheets

Final Reports

  • TR-349: Demonstration and Transfer of Selected New Technologies for Animal Waste Pollution Control
  • TR-346: Field Demonstration of the Performance of an Electrocoagulation System to Reduce Phosphorus and Other Substances from Dairy Lagoon Effluent
  • TR-345: Field Demonstration of the Performance of a Geotube® Dewatering System to Reduce Phosphorus and Other Substances from Dairy Lagoon Effluent
  • TR-344: Field Demonstration of the Performance of the L4DB® Microbial Treatment System to Reduce Phosphorus and Other Substances from Dairy Lagoon Effluent
  • TR-343: Cycling of Geotube® Solids from Dairy Lagoons Through Turfgrass Sod
  • TR-342: Field Demonstration of the Performance of Wastewater Treatment Solution (WTS®) to Reduce Phosphorus and other Substances from Dairy Lagoon Effluent

Progress Reports