Piggery effluent polluting stream
Waikato Regional Council has sought an interim Enforcement Order from the Environment Court to stop piggery effluent from entering a waterway north of Te Aroha.
With ever tightening regulations on effluent storage, containment – whether in open ponds or purpose built reservoirs – is capital intensive.
An alternative solution from TechniPharm presents a cheaper option.
The Ecobag system, developed by Dutch specialist Wiefferlink Group, consists of a contained bladder-type structure which requires only minimal earthworks in the shape of a sump or earth banks for support, and is tethered by a system of retaining straps and ground anchors.
The company claims various advantages: preservation of nutrients, because the sealed bladder suffers none of the evaporation that occurs from open pond structures; no odours, useful if residential areas are nearby; and no entry of groundwater or rainwater.
The set-up is also said to prevent crust formation, and mixing is done by a self-contained stirrer.
The flexible film construction is said to have strong mechanical properties, resists chemicals and is backed by a five year warranty.
Installation costs can be as low as $37/m3 as against a more likely cost of around $60/m3 for a traditional open pond system.
Available in sizes from 1000-10,000 cubic metres.
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Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
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