Because of the large surface area, shallow depth, and the fact that digestion slows down in cold weather this system is not considered practi-cal for Ontario farms. These can hubble. Commercial waste water treatment plants and sewage treatment plants have used this equipment for years. The on-going energy cost is high. Maintenance costs can be high.
Effectiveness is reduced in cold weather.
The introduction of antibiotics and sanitizers can upset or destroy the aerobic bacteria which must be present. Nitrogen loss to the atmosphere is increased with aeration. Despite the disadvantages, some farmers feel that the advantages, especially odour control, warrant the use of the equipment. Aerators are sized based on the BOD content of the manure in which they are working. For illustration, consider a beef animal weighing 454 kg.