Agri-News: October 20, 2026 issue
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The Technical Advisory Group (TAG), a collaboration among the Government of Alberta, the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) and agricultural industry representatives, has released an updated technical guideline, Subsoil Investigations for Manure Storage Facilities and Manure Collection Areas.
“Whether planning a new or expanding an existing manure storage facility or manure collection area, knowing what's beneath the surface is critical,” says Vince Murray, Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) engineer with the Alberta government and co-chair of TAG. “Understanding site conditions informs the planning process, identifies potential challenges, supports informed decisions with facility location and design, and reduces the risk of unexpected issues later on.”
While the guideline is intended primarily for qualified professionals who conduct site investigations, it can also be a valuable resource for industry advisors and consultants, as well as owners and operators of confined feeding operations or standalone manure storage facilities. Subsoil investigations provide important information about soil conditions, water tables and groundwater resources at a proposed site. This information helps inform facility design, groundwater protection measures and long-term planning while supporting operational needs.
"Producers and their consultants often invest significant time and resources into planning new sites or expanding existing ones," says Murray. "This guideline provides methods for gathering soil and groundwater information, which are key to determining the groundwater protection options available when designing a facility. Ideally, the design meets the needs of the producers while also satisfying the regulatory requirements found in the Standards and Administration Regulation under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act.”
This technical guideline is one of several guidelines supporting effective site investigations for facilities. To learn more, see Guidelines add clarity when investigating sites for manure facilities for more information. These guidelines are intended to support consistent site evaluations and help ensure operators and their consultants have the information needed to support an application to the NRCB for proposed manure storages or collection areas. Key elements of a subsoil investigation include:
- number, location and depth of test holes;
- soil sampling at the required depth intervals and logging any soil changes, observed or expected; and
- depths of the water table and groundwater resources.
“Site conditions can influence the design, construction and long-term performance of manure storage facilities and collection areas,” says Murray. “Understanding these factors early can support efficient project planning and reduce the likelihood of costly redesigns or delays.”
This updated publication complements other AOPA technical guidelines related to subsoil investigations. To help get you started, see the Technical Guideline Listing.
Government of Alberta staff and the NRCB can help producers and consultants understand subsoil investigation requirements in a way that fit both your operational needs and regulatory commitments. For additional information or clarification, call 310-FARM to connect with the AOPA team or contact your nearest NRCB field office.
For more information, visit the Government of Alberta’s Manure management guidelines and legislation and NRCB’s Resources web page.
Contact
Connect with 310-FARM for more information:
Phone: 310-FARM (3276)
Email: [email protected]
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