Pollution from livestock lots with more than 1,000 cattle is already regulated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. However, there are many smaller lots that are not regulated. Their cumulative effect can reduce water quality. The new system will look nice from the road, will encourage wildlife and will reduce odors using ecological principles.
Many dairies use a lagoon to store water and waste.
After a rain, water and wastes run off of the animal lot and into the lagoon. The polluted water is then disposed of either by being pumped out and taken away for safe disposal or by being irrigated on nearby land. The new system costs more initially, but pays for itself with very little maintenance and upkeep costs. Each part of the system removes more pollutants. The outflow should be near-stream quality.