Environmental Impacts
Earthen manure storages are often cited as being environmental hazards by opponents of intensive livestock operations. Such claims generally stem from breaches and spills that have happened with older, poorly managed, EMSes. A properly managed EMS is usually much safer than an above ground concrete or steel manure storage which can suffer from catastrophic failure due to the large head pressure encountered. Below ground concrete storages also often suffer from cracking due to settlement. Earthen storages, provided they are not allowed to completely dry out, remain flexible throughout their lifespan, and do not suffer from cracking. Studies have been done on seepage rates from these storages University of Manitoba Study on EMS Seepage that show they are safe and contaminants of concern do not travel in to local aquifers.
Read more about this topic: Earthen Manure Storage
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