However, animals under 25 kg have a much lower commercial value than larger ones, and a free LDAC pick up is difficult to justify. This factsheet deals with burial as an option for disposal for small livestock or poultry mortalities under 25 kg in liveweight size on the farm where they were produced. The potential for ground water contamination and subsequent well water contamination is a function of the soil type, bedrock depth, and ground water depth. Soil Type Coarse soils may increase ground water contamination risks because they allow rapid movement of liquids away from the burial site with minimal filtration or treatment. Bedrock Depth Open fractures in bedrock permit rapid movement of contaminated water with minimal filtration or treatment.
Shallow bedrock is therefore a concern.
The zone above the ground water table up to the soil surface is effective in destroying some biological contaminants. However, this zone is minimal in areas where the water table is high. Depending on the combination of these three features, the ground water contamination potential could change. There are no ideal burial conditions to reduce the potential for ground water contamination because areas with clay soils often have a high ground water level. Areas of thin soil cover over a bedrock layer should be avoided.