Phosphorus build up from commercial fertilizer and manure applications is one of the leading contributors to harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie. To help protect Lake Erie’s water quality, EPA has partnered with Ohio EPA to conduct field trials of new approaches to reduce phosphorus losses. As a result of the H2Ohio Technology Assessment Program established in 2020, 10 innovative technologies were identified as having the potential to reduce HABs, if brought to scale. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding is currently supporting field trials of three of these promising technologies.
One project aims to demonstrate the potential of Electric Cell Lysis to treat manure lagoons. The technology uses controlled electrical pulses to break down the organic material in the lagoon. The nutrient and phosphorus-heavy content sinks to the bottom and farmers are then able to apply the top layer of liquid manure on fields with significantly lower phosphorus levels. This method offers many advantages to the farmer, as it lowers the need for commercial fertilizer, and produces a valuable biproduct in the phosphorus-rich solids left behind. As an added bonus, this method also results in fewer pathogens and less odor in the lagoon without the use of chemicals or additives.
The GLRI project partners are currently applying this technology in multiple manure lagoon systems at dairy operations in the western Lake Erie watershed. One of the pilot locations, Pfeifer Dairy Farms in Bucyrus, Ohio, recently hosted project partners from U.S. EPA, the Cleveland Water Alliance, Ohio EPA, Neundorfer, Inc., and Heidelberg University’s National Center for Water Quality Research (NCWQR) to learn more about the project.
The machine ran for 17 days treating 2.5 million gallons of manure in a lagoon at the Pfeifer Dairy Farms pilot location, with no impact to the farmer’s day to day operations. The system is operated remotely by Neundorfer, who holds the license for the technology in the U.S . Researchers at NCWQR will provide third-party verification, quality assurance and sample analysis.
This project is one of many recent activities being led by WLEB Partnership members to advance and bring greater visibility to phosphorus reduction efforts in the watershed. On August 18th, the GLRI Blanchard River Demonstration Farm Network hosted a conservation tour for state representatives. On August 26th, EPA and partners held a listening session with farmers and non-governmental organizations to discuss ways to address challenges and build on successful nutrient management programs.
The WLEB Partnership will host their annual meeting on September 10th at a dairy operation in Celina, Ohio, where partners will learn about manure management and hear from dairy industry representatives on additional ways to reduce nutrient runoff.
