Water can be released from a flushing tank and is often added to the system through sprinklers used to clean cows. The liquid manure storage structures should be large enough to accommodate the runoff from the cow lots as well as the liquid manure from the dairy parlor. The decision to build a lagoon or a storage structure should be based on your objectives. Storage structures allow flexibility for land application at optimum times, preserve nutrients, prevent surface and groundwater contamination, and increase efficiency and convenience. Treatment lagoons improve handling characteristics, reduce manure volume and solid content, control odor, reduce pollution potential by removing nutrients, kill pathogens, and reduce organic matter content.
Lagoons meet both storage and treatment objectives in one structure.
Solids and bacteria on the lagoon bottom will clog pores and reduce seepage, but self-sealing action generally cannot be relied on to protect groundwater. Locate lagoons in the most impervious soil available. Install synthetic plastic impermeable liners with 12 to 18 inches soil cover above the liner. Construct concrete pavement with steel reinforcement and leakproof joints over a sand bedding. Second-stage lagoons are used for storing liquid manure and for settling solids prior to recycling liquid to the operation.