Three lagoons burst, adding to the millions of gallons of waste from 24 flooded sewage plants. The two incinerators paid for by the state are slow, requiring 100 cubic yards of wood a day to incinerate 4,000 pounds of hogs an hour. State air-quality officials, wary of the fine particles from the burners, have stepped up their monitoring in the region. Most hogs will be buried. Some will go to a regional landfill in Bertie County.
Water tables are shallow in the region.
Groundwater officials say underground water supplies should remain safe if farmers properly bury the animals, at least 3 feet deep and 300 feet from creeks and rivers. Pitt County officials dug up some improperly buried hogs and took them to an incinerator, said Jim Knight of the N.C. Department of Agriculture. At least half the dead poultry will be composted. Farmers hanging on In Raleigh, state officials are pondering whether and how to rebuild the farms, especially those in floodplains. Allen McCoy isn't sure he wants to farm anymore.