Virginia Farmstead Assessment System: Fertilizer Storage, Handling, and Management

Virginia Farmstead Assessment System*

Fact Sheet No. 6 Fertilizer Storage, Handling, and Management

Fact Sheet And Worksheet No. 6 were modified by Eugene M. Daniel, Virginia Cooperative Extension-Gloucester County, and Marcus M. Alley, Crop and Soil Environmental Science Department, Virginia Tech.

Technical Reviewers: Kathy Dictor, Jonathan (Jay) R. Crane and Nancy K. Cook, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Richmond, Virginia.

Publication Number 442-906, June 1996

*Overview of the Virginia Farm Assessment System

Read Fact Sheet No. 6: Fertilizer Storage, Handling, and Management

How will this worksheet help you protect your drinking water?

It will take you step by step through your hazardous waste management practices.
It will rank your activities according to how they might affect the groundwater that provides your drinking water.
It will provide you with easy-to-understand rankings that will help you analyze the "relative risk level" of your hazardous waste management practices.
It will help you determine which of your practices are reasonably safe and effective, and which practices might require modification to better protect your drinking water.

Follow the directions below. Focus on the well or spring that provides drinking water for your home or farm. If you have more than one drinking water supply on your farmstead, take the time to fill out a worksheet for each one.

Note: You will probably want to make a print-out of this worksheet to complete it.

Use a pencil. You may want to make changes.
For each category listed on the left that is appropriate to your farmstead, read across to the right and circle the statement that best describes conditions on your farmstead. (Skip and leave blank any categories that don't apply.)
Then look above the description you circled to find your "rank number" (4, 3, 2, or 1) and enter that number in the blank under "your rank."
Directions on overall scoring appear at the end of the worksheet.

Allow about 15-30 minutes to complete the worksheet and figure out your risk rank.

Fertilizer Storage

(See Fact Sheet No.6, Section 1)

LOW RISK
(rank 4) LOW-MOD RISK
(rank 3) MOD-HIGH RISK
(rank 2) HIGH RISK
(rank 1) RANK NUMBER

Dry formulation (bulk) Amount stored None stored at anytime. Less than 1 ton. Between 1 and 20 tons. Between 1 and 20 tons. _______

Storage environment Covered on impermeable surface (such as concrete or asphalt). Spills are collected. Covered on clay soil. Spills are collected. Partial cover on loamy soils. Spills (outdoors) not collected. No cover on sandy soils. Spills (outdoors) not collected. _______

Liquid formulation
Amount stored None stored at any time. None stored at any time. Between 55 and 1500 gallons. More than 1500 gallons. _______

Storage environment Concrete or other impermeable secondary containment that does not allow spill to contaminate soil. Clay-lined secondary containment. Most of spill can be recovered. Somewhat permeable soils (loam). No secondary containment. Most of spill cannot be recovered. Permeable soil (sand). No secondary containment. Spills contaminate soil. _______

Containers (include bag products) Original containers clearly labeled. No holes, tears or weak seams. Lids tight. Original containers old. Labels partially missing or hard to read. Containers old but patched. Metal containers showing signs of rusting. Containers have holes or tears that allow fertilizers to leak. No labels. _______

Security Fenced or locked area separate from all other activities, locks on valves, or none stored at any time. Fenced area separate from most other activities. Open to activities that could damage containers or spill fertilizer. Open access to theft, vandalism and children. _______

	LOW RISK (rank 4)	LOW-MOD RISK (rank 3)	MOD-HIGH RISK (rank 2)	HIGH RISK (rank 1)	RANK NUMBER
Dry formulation (bulk) Amount stored	None stored at anytime.	Less than 1 ton.	Between 1 and 20 tons.	Between 1 and 20 tons.	_______
Storage environment	Covered on impermeable surface (such as concrete or asphalt). Spills are collected.	Covered on clay soil. Spills are collected.	Partial cover on loamy soils. Spills (outdoors) not collected.	No cover on sandy soils. Spills (outdoors) not collected.	_______
Liquid formulation Amount stored	None stored at any time.	None stored at any time.	Between 55 and 1500 gallons.	More than 1500 gallons.	_______
Storage environment	Concrete or other impermeable secondary containment that does not allow spill to contaminate soil.	Clay-lined secondary containment. Most of spill can be recovered.	Somewhat permeable soils (loam). No secondary containment. Most of spill cannot be recovered.	Permeable soil (sand). No secondary containment. Spills contaminate soil.	_______
Containers (include bag products)	Original containers clearly labeled. No holes, tears or weak seams. Lids tight.	Original containers old. Labels partially missing or hard to read.	Containers old but patched. Metal containers showing signs of rusting.	Containers have holes or tears that allow fertilizers to leak. No labels.	_______
Security	Fenced or locked area separate from all other activities, locks on valves, or none stored at any time.	Fenced area separate from most other activities.	Open to activities that could damage containers or spill fertilizer.	Open access to theft, vandalism and children.	_______

Mixing and Loading Practices

(See Fact Sheet No. 6, Section II.)

LOW RISK
(rank 4) LOW-MOD RISK
(rank 3) MOD-HIGH RISK
(rank 2) HIGH RISK
(rank 1) RANK NUMBER

Location of well or spring in relation to mixing/loading area 100 or more feet downslope from well 50 to 100 feet downslope from well 10 to 50 feet downslope, or 100 to 500 feet upslope from well Within 10 feet downslope or within 100 feet upslope from well _______

	LOW RISK (rank 4)	LOW-MOD RISK (rank 3)	MOD-HIGH RISK (rank 2)	HIGH RISK (rank 1)	RANK NUMBER
Location of well or spring in relation to mixing/loading area	100 or more feet downslope from well	50 to 100 feet downslope from well	10 to 50 feet downslope, or 100 to 500 feet upslope from well	Within 10 feet downslope or within 100 feet upslope from well	_______

Mixing and Loading Practices

Liquid Fertilizer Only (See Fact Sheet No. 6, section II)

LOW RISK
(rank 4) LOW-MOD RISK
(rank 3) MOD-HIGH RISK
(rank 2) HIGH RISK
(rank 1) RANK NUMBER

Mixing and loading pad (spill containment) Concrete pad with curb keeps spills contained. Sump allows collection and transfer to storage. Concrete pad with curb keeps spills contained. Sump allows collection and transfer to storage. Concrete pad with some cracks keeps some spills contained. No curb or sump. Mixing/loading done on permeable soil (sand). Spills soak into ground. _______

Water source Separate water tank (nurse tank). Separate water tank (nurse tank). Hydrant 50-100 feet from well or spring. Obtained directly at well or spring. _______

Backflow prevention on water supply Anti-backflow device installed or 6-inch air gap maintained above sprayer tank. Anti-backflow device installed or 6-inch air gap maintained above sprayer tank. Anti-backflow device installed or 6-inch air gap maintained above sprayer tank. Anti-backflow device installed or 6-inch air gap maintained above sprayer tank. _______

Filling supervision Constant Frequent Seldom Seldom _______

Handling system Closed systems for all liquid product transfers. Closed system for most liquids. Some liquids hand poured. Sprayer fill port easy to reach. All liquids hand poured. Sprayer fill port easy to reach. All liquids hand poured. Sprayer fill port easy to reach. _______

	LOW RISK (rank 4)	LOW-MOD RISK (rank 3)	MOD-HIGH RISK (rank 2)	HIGH RISK (rank 1)	RANK NUMBER
Mixing and loading pad (spill containment)	Concrete pad with curb keeps spills contained. Sump allows collection and transfer to storage.	Concrete pad with curb keeps spills contained. Sump allows collection and transfer to storage.	Concrete pad with some cracks keeps some spills contained. No curb or sump.	Mixing/loading done on permeable soil (sand). Spills soak into ground.	_______
Water source	Separate water tank (nurse tank).	Separate water tank (nurse tank).	Hydrant 50-100 feet from well or spring.	Obtained directly at well or spring.	_______
Backflow prevention on water supply	Anti-backflow device installed or 6-inch air gap maintained above sprayer tank.	Anti-backflow device installed or 6-inch air gap maintained above sprayer tank.	Anti-backflow device installed or 6-inch air gap maintained above sprayer tank.	Anti-backflow device installed or 6-inch air gap maintained above sprayer tank.	_______
Filling supervision	Constant	Frequent	Seldom	Seldom	_______
Handling system	Closed systems for all liquid product transfers.	Closed system for most liquids. Some liquids hand poured. Sprayer fill port easy to reach.	All liquids hand poured. Sprayer fill port easy to reach.	All liquids hand poured. Sprayer fill port easy to reach.	_______

Cleanup and Disposal Practices

(See Fact Sheet No. 6, section III)

LOW RISK
(rank 4) LOW-MOD RISK
(rank 3) MOD-HIGH RISK
(rank 2) HIGH RISK
(rank 1) RANK NUMBER

Sprayer cleaning and rinsate (rinse water) disposal Sprayer washed out in field away from water source. Rinsate used in next load and applied to crop. Sprayer washed out on pad. Rinsate used in next load and applied to crop. Sprayer washed out at farmstead. Rinsate sprayed less than 100 feet from well. Sprayer washed out at farmstead. Rinsate dumped on farmstead or in nearby field. _______

	LOW RISK (rank 4)	LOW-MOD RISK (rank 3)	MOD-HIGH RISK (rank 2)	HIGH RISK (rank 1)	RANK NUMBER
Sprayer cleaning and rinsate (rinse water) disposal	Sprayer washed out in field away from water source. Rinsate used in next load and applied to crop.	Sprayer washed out on pad. Rinsate used in next load and applied to crop.	Sprayer washed out at farmstead. Rinsate sprayed less than 100 feet from well.	Sprayer washed out at farmstead. Rinsate dumped on farmstead or in nearby field.	_______

Field Nutrient Management

(See Fact Sheet No. 6, section IV)

LOW RISK
(rank 4) LOW-MOD RISK
(rank 3) MOD-HIGH RISK
(rank 2) HIGH RISK
(rank 1) RANK NUMBER

Nutrient management plan Nutrient management plan followed. -- -- Nutrient management plan not established. _______

	LOW RISK (rank 4)	LOW-MOD RISK (rank 3)	MOD-HIGH RISK (rank 2)	HIGH RISK (rank 1)	RANK NUMBER
Nutrient management plan	Nutrient management plan followed.	--	--	Nutrient management plan not established.	_______

Use this total to calculate risk rank: Rank Number Total
_______

Use this total to calculate risk rank:		Rank Number Total	_______

Calculate Risk Rank.

Step 1:

Sum up the rankings for the categories you completed and divide by the total number of categories ranked. Carry your answer out to one decimal point.

Rank Number Total

_______ divided by No. of categories ranked

_______ equals Risk Rank

_______

Risk Categories

3.6-4.0 = low risk

2.6-3.5 = low to moderate risk

1.6-2.5 = moderate to high risk

1.0-1.5 = high risk

This ranking gives you an idea of how your well or spring management practices as a whole might be affecting your drinking water. Later you will combine this risk ranking with other farmstead management rankings in Worksheet No. 13, "Overall Risk Assessment." This ranking should serve only as a very general guide, not a definitive indicator of contamination. Because it represents an averaging of many individual rankings, it can mask any individual rankings (such as 1's or 2's) that should be of concern (see Step 2.).

Step 2:

Look over your ranking for each category:

Low-risk practices (4's): ideal; should be your goal despite cost and effort.
Low-to-moderate risk practices (3's): provide reasonable groundwater protection.
Moderate-to-high-risk practices (2's): inadequate protection in many circumstances.
High-risk practices (1's): inadequate; pose a high risk of polluting groundwater.

Any individual rankings of "1" require immediate attention. Some concerns you can take care of right away; others could be a major-or costly-project, requiring planning and prioritizing before you take action. Note the activities that you identified as 1's to be listed later under "High-Risk Activities" in Worksheet No. 13.

GlossaryNo .6

Return to Fact Sheet No. 6

View a list of the Virginia Farmstead Assessment System publications