Building regulations for manure basins

Do you want to build a manure basin, or have it built, to store manure? Then you must comply with the rules to prevent pollution. You may also need to apply for an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning) or submit a notification in advance via the Environment and Planning Portal (omgevingsloket). 

Check if you need an environment and planning permit and apply

Go to the Environment and Planning Portal (Omgevingsloket, in Dutch) to check if you need an environment and planning permit. In the Environment and Planning Portal you can see which rules apply in your municipality, province, or regional water authority. And you can directly apply online for an environment and planning permit or submit a notification. 

If you want to store more than 3m3 of manure for longer than 2 weeks you need to submit a notification at least 4 weeks before you start. You can check in the Environment and Planning Portal if exceptions apply to your situation.

Rules for manure basins 

There are various types of manure basins (in Dutch). They can be built underground or above ground. They include storage in manure bags, ground pits covered with foil, or manure silos. Each type of manure basin is subject to specific regulations. These rules cover:

• safety of the construction 
• soil pollution
• odour nuisance
• release of ammonia 

Safety of the construction

If you build a manure basin, you must keep to the rules in the Decree on construction works in the living environment (Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving, Bbl). For example, the basin should withstand the pressure that can occur when it is at full capacity. You also have a duty of care (in Dutch). This means that you must regularly check the tank and its cover for any signs of damage. You must fix any damage immediately. 

Preventing soil pollution 

The rules for preventing damage to the soil (contamination) are stated in the Environmental Activities Decree (Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving, Bal). For example:

• The basin and connection points must be leak-proof to prevent the manure from leaking into the soil. 
• The materials you use must be able to withstand the substances in the manure.
• If the basin or part of it is above ground, the inside must be made waterproof with a certified foil. You can recognise this foil by a stamp with the code MB. 

Reducing odour nuisance 

You must take measures to prevent and limit odour nuisance (in Dutch). For this, you have to build the basin at a minimum distance from houses. How far this minimum distance is, depends on the size of the manure basin and on the type of manure. 

Release of ammonia 

Manure storage releases the harmful substance ammonia into the air. That is why there are rules to reduce ammonia emissions. You must:

• Cover the enter basin so that less ammonia can enter the air. Openings are allowed so that gases from the slurry can escape (venting).
• Build the manure storage at the required minimum distance from Natura 2000 areas. Or other areas the province has designated as sensitive.