Horizontal silos are covered with a plastic sheet and old tires are used to keep the cover in place. It is important to divert clean water away from new and existing silage storage structures. For both vertical and horizontal silos, diverting clean water away from silage can protect both groundwater and surface water. Return to Table of Contents . Leachate Collection and Disposal Leachate can be collected from tower and horizontal silos by channeling the liquid into a water retention structure, usually a pond lined with concrete, clay, or plastic.
Horizontal silos use channels to direct seepage into a collection area.
Contact your county Extension office for assistance with design. The most cost-effective leachate disposal method is land spreading. Nitrogen in leachate has significant fertilizer value that can be used if applied during the growing season. Because of its high nitrogen and organic content, leachate can burn plant tissue and deplete soil oxygen. Farmers who consider land spreading should consult a soil specialist to determine how much leachate can be safely spread on each field.