South west farmers are being reminded by EPA Victoria of their environmental
responsibilities for managing dairy effluent ponds ahead of planned site
inspections starting next week.
EPA Manager South West Eve Graham said with the dairy season ramping up over
the cooler months and more wet weather, effluent management was even more
important.
“Officers will be checking to ensure that farmers have in place appropriate
effluent storage, treatment and management systems to avoid contaminated water
and waste entering local waterways,” she said.
“To do this farmers can check that their ponds have enough capacity in them to
store what will accumulate over winter.
“Poorly managed effluent ponds can overflow, causing surface and ground water
pollution. Increased nutrients in waterways from effluent can harm plants and
animals, create odour and have possible health impacts for waterway users
downstream.
EPA will begin inspections throughout Corangamite Shire Council, moving further
west in the next few weeks.
Dairy effluent management is one of EPA’s statewide operational strategies –
focusing on preventing impacts to the environment rather than reacting to
pollution events after they have occurred.
“As well as checking for environmental compliance,” Ms Graham said, “we’ll be
onsite to provide guidance to those who may require it.”
Some of the preventative measures include: de-sludging ponds; removing
vegetation and weeds on and around ponds, which can reduce capacity; and
irrigating when the weather permits while ensuring there is no run off.
The Victorian Dairy Effluent Guidelines released by Dairy Gains in 2008 provide
a clear guide on how to manage effluent.