Structural failure of hog lagoon in Trenton

There was a structural failure of a hog lagoon at DC Mills Farm in Trenton last week that released approximately one million gallons of animal waste.

A natural sinkhole opened up near the lagoon. The sinkhole did not form in the embankment of the lagoon, but rather in the level ground just adjacent to the lagoon. As a result of the sinkhole, the hydrologic pressure from the lagoon forced the water out through this hole. 

“As soon as the owners saw what happened, they immediately called their regional inspector who notified the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the government agency that oversees permitted animal waste facilities,” said Honeycutt. 

An estimated one million gallons entered Tuckahoe Creek which feeds into the Trent River. 

“The full extent of the environmental impact for this spill is still under investigation,” said Robert Johnson, Public Information Officer Division of Energy, Mineral, & Land Resources.  

The farm owners have worked hard to be sure the repairs they made are holding. They spent Christmas morning about the lagoon failures’ impacts instead of opening presents with their four daughters.  

“The farm owner did not cause the sinkhole, and could not have reasonably foreseen the problem,” said Honeycutt. “The farm has been in operation since 1993 and has not had any problems with the lagoon since it was constructed and certified by the Natural Resource Conservation Service.” 

Anytime wastewater enters the surface water it can have a negative impact. Humans produce wastewater daily that can and does impact surface water.  

“The environmental impacts of this release are not immediate, which is why the DEQ is conducting an investigation,” said Honeycutt. “As part of their investigation, they are sampling the surface water in various locations to determine actual impacts to surface water, instead of speculating that the farm caused an immediate problem.” 

“The Division of Water Resources Animal Feeding Operations Program Central office will assess Civil Penalties based on the facts found in the incident,” said Johnson.