The Technical Advisory Group (TAG), a collaboration among the Government of Alberta, the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) and agricultural industry representatives, has released an updated technical guideline, Subsoil Investigations for Manure Storage Facilities and Manure Collection Areas.
“Whether planning a new or expanding an existing manure storage facility or manure collection area, knowing what's beneath the surface is critical,” says Vince Murray, Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) engineer with the Alberta government and co-chair of TAG. “Understanding site conditions informs the planning process, identifies potential challenges, supports informed decisions with facility location and design, and reduces the risk of unexpected issues later on.”
While the guideline is intended primarily for qualified professionals who conduct site investigations, it can also be a valuable resource for industry advisors and consultants, as well as owners and operators of confined feeding operations or standalone manure storage facilities. Subsoil investigations provide important information about soil conditions, water tables and groundwater resources at a proposed site. This information helps inform facility design, groundwater protection measures and long-term planning while supporting operational needs.
"Producers and their consultants often invest significant time and resources into planning new sites or expanding existing ones," says Murray. "This guideline provides methods for gathering soil and groundwater information, which are key to determining the groundwater protection options available when designing a facility. Ideally, the design meets the needs of the producers while also satisfying the regulatory requirements found in the Standards and Administration Regulation under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act.”
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