Water grants 2015: floating covers for slurry stores and lagoons (RP30)
Eligibility and requirements for floating covers for slurry stores and lagoons.
Applies to England
Farmers and other land managers can apply for water grants.
Read the accompanying guidance to find out more about Countryside Stewardship water grants 2015.
How much will be paid
£5.60 per square metre.
Where the item is available
This item is available in Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) target areas. It can only be used on existing slurry stores or lagoons.
How this item will benefit the environment
This item will stop rainwater from entering slurry stores and lagoons. This will reduce the volume of dirty water that needs to be stored and spread.
Requirements
Before applying for this item, applicants should contact:
- the Environment Agency, if any part of the roof-supporting structure forms parts of the slurry store. New and significantly altered stores may have to meet the silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil (SSAFO) regulations 2010; and
- the local planning authority, to check if planning permission is needed
Applicants must send any advice or consent they receive with their application for this item.
With permission from Natural England, advice and consent can be received up until 29 May 2015; applicants can discuss this with their local Catchment Sensitive Farming officer. Applicants must also send dated photographs of the existing site with their application.
On the land
Floating covers and any additions and alterations to slurry storage facilities must meet the SSAFO regulations. They must have a minimum design life of 10 years (with maintenance) and also meet the relevant British Standards.
Successful applicants will need to:
- install a rainproof floating cover on a slurry 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; and
- place the cover on floats if needed.
Keeping records
Successful applicants will need to keep:
- dated photographs of the site before and after the works have taken place (and submit these with any claim and show them on request);
- receipted invoices and bank statements relating to this work; and
- all relevant consents and permissions.
How to carry out this item
The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully.
How to get more detailed advice
More detailed information about using this item is available through the local CSF officer. Applicants may also be able to request an infrastructure audit or a slurry and manure handling plan.
Regulations for slurry stores
Slurry stores should meet the SSAFO regulations. These cover the design, construction and maintenance of the stores.
How to maintain the drains
Drains should take rainwater from the cover, making sure it doesn’t mix with effluent, and transport it to clean water ditches and drains. A pump may be needed to help transport the water.
Further information
Applicants can find out more about keeping clean and dirty water separate in this information sheet from the Rivers Trust.
More information about using covers on circular slurry stores is available in this guidance.