RP30: Floating covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores and lagoons
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the floating covers for slurry stores and lagoons item.
How much will be paid
£2.75 per square metre.
Where to use this item
Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants.
Only:
- in areas targeted for the reduction of water and air pollution from agriculture
- on existing slurry or on-farm anaerobic digestate stores or lagoons
- with support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) officer
Where this item cannot be used
- without relevant advice or consents from the Environment Agency (EA) or Local Planning Authority
How this item will benefit the environment
A floating cover for slurry and on-farm anaerobic digestate stores and lagoons will help to reduce the volume of dirty water that needs to be stored and spread. It will also improve air quality by reducing ammonia emissions.
Requirements
- install a floating cover with a minimum design life of 5 years (with maintenance)
- install a rainproof floating cover on a slurry or anaerobic digestate store or tank
- make sure the tanks or the lagoon’s earth banks are able to support the cover and fastening implements
- install the cover when the store is empty
- direct the rainwater away from the cover into a clean water drain or rainwater harvesting system
- display signs to warn of the dangers of confined spaces and fragile covers
- secure the cover to avoid wind damage and to prevent rainwater running off and mixing with contaminated effluent
- place the cover on floats if needed
- meet the requirements of the SSAFO regulations 2010 and Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) requirements
- meet relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance
Keeping records
Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- photographs of site before works start
Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.
Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:
- photographs of the completed work
Before applying, applicants must seek advice from:
- the Environment Agency, to check what is required as new and significantly altered stores may have to meet the silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil (SSAFO) regulations 2010
- the local planning authority, to check whether planning permission is required to carry out the planned works
You do not need to provide this with your application, but you will need to submit consents/permissions with your payment claim.
Applicants will have to send the following with their application:
- written support from a CSF officer
Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item
The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully but does not form part of the requirements for this item.
How to get more detailed advice
Further design advice is available on how to size the loading and washdown area and holding tanks, and on pesticide washing volume calculations, from CSF.
Regulations for slurry stores
The slurry stores should meet the SSAFO regulations which cover the design, construction and maintenance of the stores.
How to maintain the drains
Drains should take rainwater from the cover, making sure it does not mix with effluent, and transport it to clean water ditches and drains. A pump may be needed to help transport the water.
Biodiversity
This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
You can read information about separating clean and dirty water at The Rivers Trust.
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) operates in parts of the country where there are water quality issues linked to farming. The scheme provides farmers with free advice and training. See guidance for further information on CSF support.
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.
Last updated 30 March 2021 + show all updates
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'Air quality' added to Land use.
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Changes to wording in the following sections: Where to use this item, How this item will benefit the environment, Requirements and Keeping records.
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Title updated to include additional wording: 'and anaerobic digestate'. Added in links to Capital Grants manual as this option is now available for Capital Grants
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Information updated for applications in 2016
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First published.