Wastewater seepage from earthen animal waste lagoons and storage ponds can contaminate groundwater with nutrients and pathogens. For almost 30 years, the subject has been the focus of laboratory and field research projects designed to (1) measureif and how much earthen ponds and lagoons leak, (2) determine how different soil types affect seepage rates, and (3) evaluate the magnitudes and mechanisms of sealing from animal waste. In this article we present a research review performed to determinehow researchers have attempted to answer these questions and how well they have been answered. We discuss weaknesses in the body of knowledge and present further research and educational needs. We also performed a review of 14 state regulations to assessand compare how different states govern seepage from ponds and lagoons. Six states regulate the maximum allowable seepage rate from ponds and lagoons (values ranging from 0.042 to 0.63 cm/day) while another six states regulate the maximum hydraulicconductivity of earthen liners (values ranging from 0.086 to 0.0086 cm/day). The two remaining states regulate neither. The results of this research and regulatory review demonstrate that there is still much to be learned about seepage from animal wasteponds and lagoons. We suggest that a risk-based approach to regulating seepage may be appropriate in the future.
展开▼
