A Vegetative Treatment System (VTS) refers to a combination of treatment steps for managing runoff. The VTS first separates the solids from the liquids in runoff. A settling basin is most commonly used to remove solids, although some designs use a settling bench, a level area that is scraped after every storm event. The runoff then flows into a Vegetative Treatment Area (VTA), where the runoff infiltrates into the soil further preventing it from leaving the farm. Once the runoff is in the soil, natural processes allow plants to use the nutrients. Perennial vegetation, such as a grass or a forage is always used in a VTA. The VTA is used to treat runoff from a feedlot or barnyard. It treats runoff by settling, infiltration, and nutrient use. A VTA is commonly confused with vegetative buffer (or filter) strips. A buffer strip is a narrow strip of vegetation (usually 30-60 feet wide), between cropland and a stream or other surface water. Runoff passes through buffers with some “filtering” of pollutants, but no attempt is made to control solids or flow. VTS are used on open lot systems, typically for beef and dairy animals. Operations that are considered large CAFO's can use a VTS but must show that the performance of the proposed VTS is equivalent to a conventional containment in order to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for a VTS system. Small and medium CAFO's will need to check with their state regulatory agency to determine if a permit is necessary. In some states, VTS are not allowed for medium AFO's or large CAFO's.
For more information about VTS and VTA's for smaller operations see the following Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum Factsheet, under "Small Farms."
www.lpes.org
LPES Small Farm Factsheets
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Small Farm VTS Demonstration Projects
For more information about large CAFO VTS systems:
LPES CAFO Factsheets
Heartland Vegetative Treatment Systems Resources
Answer developed by:
Chris Henry, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
