Manure Manager

Features Regional Regulations
EPA orders farmer to provide water


July 27, 2011  by U.S. EPA

July 22, 2011,
Philadelphia, PA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an
emergency order under the Safe Drinking Water Act to Kenneth Brockett, owner
and operator of the Kenneth Brockett Farm in Tyrone, Pa., after determining
that the dairy farm has caused or contributed to the contamination of a nearby
well.
July 22, 2011,
Philadelphia, PA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an
emergency order under the Safe Drinking Water Act to Kenneth Brockett, owner
and operator of the Kenneth Brockett Farm in Tyrone, Pa., after determining
that the dairy farm has caused or contributed to the contamination of a nearby
well.

The order requires the
dairy farmer to provide an alternative source of drinking water to the owners
of the contaminated well within 10 days of the effective date of the agency’s
order. The order also requires Kenneth Brockett to pay for sampling of the
contaminated well, and to develop an effective plan to manage his dairy
operation’s process wastewater, and manure. Brockett has indicated to the
EPA that he intends to comply with the order. 

A November 2010 EPA
inspection determined that the Brockett farm was not taking adequate measures
for managing manure, allowing contaminants such as fecal coliform bacteria,
including E. coli, and ammonia to infiltrate underground sources of drinking
water through sinkholes on the farm property. 

In recent years, the EPA
has been conducting assessments of animal feeding operations in south central
Pennsylvania, particularly dairy operations, and has found that there is
wide spread non-compliance with state regulations and extensive nutrient and
pathogen contamination of drinking water sources.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stories continue below