If you do not have or are not going to construct a mixing
and loading pad, here are a few suggestions on better
management of your mixing and loading site.
- Avoid mixing and loading fertilizers near your
well. One way to do
this is to use a nurse tank to transport water to
the mixing and loading
site.
- Avoid mixing and loading on gravel driveways or
other surfaces that
allow spills to sink quickly through the soil. A
clay surface is better
than a sand surface.
- Install a back-siphon prevention device on the
well or hydrants.
Never put the hose in the sprayer tank. Provide an
air gap between the
hose and the top of the sprayer tank.
- Always supervise sprayer filling. For
restricted-use fertilizers, a
trained and certified applicator must supervise
operations.
- Use rinse water for mixing subsequent loads of
the same fertilizer.
Spray the last rinse load on the field.
- Report spills of any amount to streams or lakes.
On soil or a pad,
report concentrated spills greater than one quart
and dilute solutions
greater than five gallons. Report spills of smaller
quantities if they
may cause damage to surface or ground water because
of the specific
compound or spill location. Remove the spilled
material and
contaminated soil no matter what the quantity, and
dispose of them
according to recommendations you receive when you
report the spill.
- Have an emergency response plan for the site.
Know where the runoff
water will go, how to handle your particular
fertilizers, and who to
call for help.