Manure Storage Frequently Asked Questions

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More information on manure storage ordinances by county can be found here.

Ordinances are locally crafted and administered but must be consistent with s. 92.16, Wis. Stats. and ATCP 50. Contact your local government for guidance on building, modifying, and abandoning manure storage facilities. ​

Complaints can be made to the local permitting authority. Active manure spills should be reported to the DNR Spills Hotline. Any issues on permitted Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) will also be referred to DNR. 

A manure management system is a system of one or more practices, facilities, techniques, or measures used to prevent or reduce pollutants associated with manure. A manure management system may include one or more of the following:

1. A manure storage system.

2. A barnyard runoff control system as defined in s. ATCP 50.64 (1).

3. Nutrient management as defined in s. ATCP 50.78 (1).

4. Manure storage system closure as defined in s. ATCP 50.63 (1) (b).

5. Well abandonment as described in ch. NR 812.

6. A waste transfer system as defined in s. ATCP 50.93 (1).

A manure storage facility includes one or more manure storage structures. Manure storage facilities include stationary equipment and piping used to load or unload a manure storage structure if the equipment is specifically designed for that purpose and is an integral part of the facility. Manure storage facilities do not include equipment used to apply manure to land.

A manure storage structure is a manure storage impoundment made by constructing embankments, excavating a pit or dugout, or fabricating a structure. Manure storage structures do not include equipment used to apply manure to land.​​​

A manure storage system is a manure storage facility and related practices needed for the environmentally safe storage of manure at that facility. A manure storage system does not include any of the following:

1. A milking center waste control system, except for the system component used to transfer the waste to manure storage.
2. Nutrient management as defined in s. ATCP 50.78 (1).
3. A barnyard runoff control system as defined in s. ATCP 50.64 (1), except for the system component used to transfer the waste to manure storage.
4. Equipment used to apply manure to land.
5. A feed storage system, except for the system component used to transfer leachate and contaminated runoff to manure storage.​​​​

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