How do CAFOs pollute water?

Groundwater can be contaminated by CAFOs through runoff from land application of manure, leaching from manure that has been improperly spread on land, or through leaks or breaks in storage or containment units. Unlike surface water, groundwater contamination sources are more difficult to monitor.

Where does the waste produced from CAFOs go?

CAFO waste is often stored untreated in gigantic anaerobic waste storage structures or pits for up to six months. After storage, it is spread on farm fields for disposal. This is where CAFO wastes often enters surface water.

How do lagoons process swine feces?

Once in the lagoon, the manure settles into two layers: a solid or sludge layer and a liquid layer. The manure then undergoes the process of anaerobic respiration, whereby the volatile organic compounds are converted into carbon dioxide and methane.

How much waste do CAFOs produce?

Concentrated animal feed operations and water quality Animal cultivation in the United States produces 133 million tons of manure per year (on a dry weight basis) representing 13-fold more solid waste than human sanitary waste production [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) 1998].

How do I stop CAFOs?

Here’s how to start stopping that CAFO:

1. Plan to meet with the concerned neighbors on a regular basis, maybe in someone’s home or at the local library or community center.
2. Delegate tasks, encourage all to help.
3. Ask if the group wants to form a nonprofit to help rally support from others in the community.

Why are CAFOs controversial?

They argue that sound science confirms that CAFOs represent a significant risk to public health and the environment, and thus, should be carefully regulated to minimize, if not eliminate, those risks. So the controversy boils down to conflicts over the validity and interpretation of public health research.

What is the purpose of CAFOs?

AFOs that meet the regulatory definition of a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) are regulated under the NPDES permitting program. The NPDES program regulates the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States.

Why are hog lagoons pink?

The pink tint often seen on hog lagoons means it is working as intended. Purple sulfur bacteria reduce the concentration hydrogen sulfide, a significant source of odor. In other words, pink reduces stink.

Why are waste lagoons a problem?

Waste lagoons are prone to leaks and spills, as they are often uncovered, unlined and separated from waterways by narrow embankments that can overflow or collapse. Manure waste can cause algae blooms in lakes and ponds that harm aquatic ecosystems, and can also contain dangerous pathogens like E.

What companies use CAFOs?

According to a new report released by Environment America, five major animal agribusinesses — Tyson, JBS, Cargill, Smithfield, and Perdue — produce a combined 162,936,695 tons of manure every year.

What are the benefits of CAFO?

Potential benefits of CAFOs include an economy of scale that affords more efficient sewage and manure management and, in some cases, improved control of some pathogens. For example, trichinosis from pork has been significantly reduced by the improved rodent control made possible by confined feeding operations.

What are the advantages of CAFOs?

Where does the waste go in a CAFO?

Poultry CAFOs use dry-waste systems. The waste falls from animal cages to the floor, where it is scraped out of the building periodically or collected on conveyer belts and moved to composting or storage sites. Another type of CAFO is the feedlot , which keeps the animals outdoors in pens.

Why are CAFOs bad for the drinking water?

When phosphorus and nitrogen are over-applied to fields, the nutrients can move through the soil into field tiles to surface water, or through soil to groundwater and drinking water. Elevated levels of nitrates in drinking water can cause “blue baby syndrome”, a potentially fatal blood disorder.

How are concentrated animal feeding operations ( CAFOs ) classified?

CAFOs are classified by the type and number of animals they contain, and the way they discharge waste into the water supply. CAFOs are AFOs that contain at least a certain number of animals, or have a number of animals that fall within a range and have waste materials that come into contact with the water supply.

How are anaerobic lagoons and manure lagoons regulated?

Anaerobic lagoons are built as part of a wastewater operation system. As such, compliance and permitting are handled as an extension of that operation. Therefore, manure lagoons are regulated on the state and national level through the CAFO which operates them.