Agronomy Facilities

Sample Site 1:
An agronomy cooperative in eastern Wisconsin recently constructed a new 1.7-acre liquid fertilizer containment structure. On an annual basis the liquid nitrogen containment structure collects an estimated 1.1 million gallons of water. Wisconsin's rules allow for the discharge of storm water from a liquid fertilizer containment without treatment as long as the water tests with less than 20 mg/l nitrogen. Containment water with nitrogen concentrations greater than 20 mg/l, but less than 200 mg/l, requires treatment. To avoid discharging fertilizer to an adjacent creek and wetland the cooperative intends to plant 2 acres of hybrid poplars to act as a nitrogen sink and to utilize as much storm water and nitrogen as possible. At five years 2 acres of poplars will be able to transpire 22,000 gpd of water and remove 600 to 1,000 pounds of nitrogen.

Sample Site 2:
Storm water from an active agronomy facility currently infiltrates into shallow, surficial soils over bedrock, potentially impacting groundwater. No other discharge options exist. The facility decided to implement a plant-based storm water management system to maximize nutrient removal from the storm water before it infiltrated to bedrock. Available area and steep terrain limited construction options. To optimize nutrient removal, approximately 200 hybrid poplars will be planted in a series of small storm water retention ponds constructed of top soil and underlain with native clay. Use of this approach was instrumental for allowing the municipality to approve proposed site construction work.


Clients
<Confidential>



Location
Wisconsin, USA

© 1998 Sand Creek Consultants. All Rights Reserved.
(715) 365-1818  |  16 Randall Ave.  |  PO Box 1512  |  Rhinelander, WI 54501