The Nutrient Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019

Regulation 19(1)

SCHEDULE 6 N.I. Requirement for slurry storage systems

1.  The requirements which have to be satisfied in relation to a slurry storage system are as follows. N.I.

2.  The base of the slurry storage tank, the base and walls of any effluent tank, channels and reception pit and the walls of any pipes shall be impermeable. N.I.

3.  The base and walls of the slurry storage tank, any effluent tank, channels and reception pit and the walls of any pipes shall be protected against corrosion in accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the Code of Practice on Building and Structures for Agriculture published by the British Standards Institution and numbered BS 5502-50:1993+A2:2010 M1 . N.I.

Marginal Citations

M1 Publication date: 15th April 1993. ISBN 978-0-580-71245-6.

4.  The base and walls of the slurry storage tank and any reception pit shall be capable of withstanding characteristic loads calculated on the assumptions and in the manner indicated by paragraph 5 of that Code of Practice. N.I.

5.—(1) Any facilities used for the temporary storage of slurry before it is transferred to a slurry storage tank shall have adequate capacity to store the maximum quantity of slurry which (disregarding any slurry which will be transferred directly into a slurry storage tank) is likely to be produced on the premises in any two day period or such smaller capacity as the Department may agree in writing is adequate to avoid any significant risk of pollution of a waterway. N.I.

(2) Where slurry flows into a channel before discharging into a reception pit and the flow of slurry out of the channel is controlled by means of a sluice, the capacity of the reception pit shall be adequate to store the maximum quantity of slurry which can be released by opening the sluice.

6.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the capacity of storage facilities for slurry of a holding shall be sufficient and adequate to provide for the storage of all the slurry which is likely to require storage on the holding for such period as may be necessary to ensure compliance with these Regulations. N.I.

(2) The matters to which regard is to be had under sub-paragraph (1) are—

(a) the likely quantities of rainfall (including any fall of snow, hail or sleet) which may fall or drain into the slurry storage tank during the likely maximum storage period;

(b) the need to make provision for not less than 750 millimetres of freeboard in the case of a tank with walls made of earth and 300 millimetres of freeboard in all other cases; and

(c) soil quality in the vicinity of the slurry storage tank.

7.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), no part of the slurry storage tank or any effluent tank, channel or reception pit shall be situated within 10 metres of any waterway into which slurry could enter if it were to escape, unless paragraph (3) is satisfied. N.I.

(2) Where the construction of an above ground slurry tank is commenced after 31December 2019, paragraph (1) shall apply as if for 10 metres there were substituted 50 metres.

(3) This paragraph is satisfied if the Department agrees in writing that adequate precautions to avoid a significant risk of pollution are taken.

8.  The slurry storage tank and any effluent tank, channels, pipes and reception pit shall be designed and constructed so that with proper maintenance they are likely to satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 2 to 4 for a period of at least 20 years. N.I.

9.  Where the walls of the slurry tank are not impermeable, the base of the tank shall extend beyond its walls and shall be provided with channels designed and constructed so as to collect any slurry which may escape from the tank and adequate provision shall be made for the drainage of the slurry from the channels to an effluent tank through a channel or pipe. N.I.

10.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), where the slurry storage tank, any effluent tank or reception pit is fitted with a drainage pipe, there shall be two valves in series on the pipe and each valve shall be capable of stopping the flow of slurry through the pipe and shall be kept shut and locked in that position when not in use. N.I.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply in relation to a slurry storage tank which drains through the pipe into another slurry storage tank of equal or greater capacity or where the tops of the tanks are at the same level.

11.  In the case of a slurry storage tank with walls which are made of earth, the tank shall not be filled to a level which allows less than 750 millimetres of freeboard, and in all other cases the tank shall not be filled to a level which allows less than 300 millimetres of freeboard. N.I.

12.  Any slurry storage tank constructed, substantially enlarged or substantially reconstructed after 31st December 2019, which is not contained within or underneath a roofed building, shall be covered in a manner which minimises emissions of odour and ammonia. N.I.