Author: Joe Harner, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University

Milk parlors are used daily and therefore have a daily discharge of water, manure, wash water, etc., usually through a pipe. This pipe is considered a defined discharge point and is considered a point source and thus requires a permit in many states. Parlor wastewater should be collected and treated in an approved livestock waste control facility, such as a holding pond, constructed wetlands (designed for wastewater), or lagoon. The wastewater can then be land applied when cropland is available. Discharging parlor wastewater into waterways, diversions, natural wetlands, road ditches, streams, ponds, creeks, or other surface water is inappropriate and unlawful.

Small dairies have many options, depending upon state requirements. In some cases, a small lagoon similar in size to a household lagoon or a concrete storage tank may be all that is necessary just to handle the wash water and wastewater from the milk parlor. The actual size will depend on the amount of water used in the parlor and may vary from three to 15 gallons per cow per day. In some situations, a soil infiltration system may be appropriate to treat milk house wastewater.

Some possible alternatives for small dairies include:

Small Farms Demonstration Project at the University of Nebraska:
The Burd Dairy Project Description at afo.unl.edu

The Zimmerman Dairy Project Description at afo.unl.edu

The Mohrview Dairy Project Description at afo.unl.edu

Milkhouse Research and Demonstration Project at the University of Minnesota