DNR asks for 24/7 staffing a troubled manure digester

Clear Horizons facility has to come up with updated phosphorus removal plan

MADISON, Wis. — The Department of Natural Resources is taking a closer look at a Dane County manure digest that has had three spills in the last six months.

The Clear Horizons facility has to come up with an updated phosphorus removal plan.

DNR officials said they sent the company a permit violation notice after the most recent spill of 35,000 gallons of manure from a ruptured pipe.

“You know, spills do happen. We want to have some process in place to contain a spill,” DNR waste water engineer Mark Cain said. “All of those things are being evaluated as part of this process, and being a permitted operation, they’re required to get these things done. We’re working with them as best we can through our enforcement process, but we do need to get these things addressed.”

Clear Horizons officials will meet with the DNR next month. One stipulation the DNR wants is 24/7 staffing at the digester.