Oxidation ponds are an old water treatment technology which, when used properly, offer an effective means of treating effluent prior to discharge to a waterway. They can be an alternative to land application systems.

However, they have two main disadvantages: the farm does not receive the benefit of the nutrient value of the effluent and they cannot completely remove all nutrients, sediment and pathogens from the treated effluent.

It is important to understand how your effluent pond system works to ensure that your farm dairy effluent is being treated to the highest possible level.