Introduction

This information describes the rules for transporting, storing and transferring greenhouse nutrient feedwater (GNF). This information is intended for farmers, controllers (owners and/or managers) of greenhouse operations that are registered under the regulation, nutrient management planners and others interested in managing GNF.

The following are overviews of the regulation as it applies to:

See O. Reg. 300/14: Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater for more information on the regulation and associated protocols.

GNF transfer system

A transfer system includes the tanks and pipes that are used to move GNF from the greenhouse watering system to portable and/or permanent GNF storages (Figure 1). You need to meet design and construction requirements if your operation needs a GNF strategy or plan. Build a GNF transfer system that includes:

  • specifically designed gasketed fittings (for example, tees, elbows, saddles) compatible with the pipe material
  • appropriate gaskets or membranes that function as anti-seepage collars
  • a system designed to minimize leakage
  • storage with an elevation that is not higher than the transfer system unless there are primary and secondary shut-off valves to prevent backflow

A professional engineer must design, review and sign off on the transfer system.

Inside corner of a greenhouse showing large storage tanks and transportation pipes.
Figure 1. A transfer system (such as tanks and pipes) used to move GNF from the greenhouse watering system to portable and/or permanent GNF storages

Permanent GNF storages

There are several things to consider if you build permanent GNF storages for your farm unit:

  • You must have at least 60 days of storage calculated using the period of maximum GNF generation at your facility. Typically, the period of maximum generation is during the summer. This calculation must include any GNF expected to be received at the operation during this period.
  • Ensure storage(s) are large enough to store all the GNF generated or received between December 1 and March 31. If liquid agricultural source material is mixed with the GNF, the period for this calculation is October 1 to May 31.

There is an exemption to these storage rules if you are considered a 24-month generator.

Use a storage that existed before January 1, 2015, under these storage conditions:

  • It must have been used to store liquid nutrients at an agricultural operation before January 1, 2015.
  • An existing earthen storage requires a liner if located on soil of hydrologic group A or B. OMAFRA's publication, Drainage Guide for Ontario provides an explanation of hydrologic groups.
  • An existing storage, other than an earthen or plastic storage, built or expanded after September 30, 2003, needs to have been designed and constructed in accordance with the siting, construction and storage requirements under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (NMA).

If planning to build a new storage or to expand an existing storage for GNF, consider:

  • the storage must meet the required setback distances from wells
  • it must meet the requirements for lined and unlined earthen storages
  • field tile drains located within 15 meters of all earthen storages and some other storages must be removed and redirected
  • using rigid plastic storage containers rated to handle liquids with a specific gravity of at least 1.5, have a UV8 rating if exposed to sunlight and protect them from equipment and vehicle collisions

Many of the rules for building a new storage or expanding existing storage depend on what the storage is made of and if the operation needs a GNF strategy or plan. See sections 48 to 55 in the regulation for additional storage requirements.

Portable storage tanks

You can use portable, leak-proof storage tanks for GNF as long as the total capacity of all portable storage on the farm unit does not exceed 100 m3 and each tank is emptied at least once every 14 days.

Transporting GNF between agricultural operations

When GNF is moved between operations (even within the same farm unit), a transportation document is required that outlines:

  • the volume of GNF being transported
  • the date the GNF is transported
  • the registration number of the farm unit that generated the GNF
  • the name of the controller of the operation providing the GNF and the name of the controller of the operation receiving the GNF
  • the address of the receiving operation

The GNF needs to be sampled and analyzed by a laboratory before it can be transported. The sample information and the transportation document must be given to the receiving operation.

When GNF is transported by vehicle between agricultural operations:

  • ensure the GNF contained in the vehicle is only from one closed circulation system, one permanent GNF storage facility or one portable storage tank
  • use an independent carrier (a person who has received specialized training) if the GNF will not be transported by the controller or by an employee of the greenhouse or receiving operation

There are rules that limit the movement of GNF between farm units. Farm units that:

  • provide the GNF must be registered
  • provide the GNF cannot have received GNF from another farm unit in the previous 12 months
  • do not generate GNF cannot move received GNF to another farm unit

Pipelines

A professional engineer needs to review the design and installation of any permanent underground pipeline used to transport GNF.

Record keeping

Keep the documents, including GNF strategies and plans, for five years after they are created. However, there are several exceptions to this general rule. Section 72 of the regulation provides more information on these exceptions.

AgriSuite

AgriSuite is a suite of free web-based decision support tools that can be accessed online from your computer, tablet or smartphone. AgriSuite assists you with key crop fertilization management decisions and how they relate to improving crop production and protecting the environment. It is designed to help farmers meet their obligations under the NMA.

The Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater (GNF) worksheet in AgriSuite estimates GNF production, storage sizing and land application methods to help certified consultants and greenhouse operators prepare required legal documents for regulatory purposes under the NMA.

Resources

For questions on the regulation, protocols, GNF strategies and plans and AgriSuite, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.

Visit the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus nutrient management website for a list of Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater Preparers and for nutrient management training opportunities.

Disclaimer

The information provided is for informational purposes only. This fact sheet provides a general and simplified description of some of the legal requirements of O. Reg. 300/14 (the "Regulation"), the Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater (GNF) Management Protocol and the GNF Sampling and Analysis Protocol. The protocols are adopted by the regulation and are legally enforceable. This information does not provide a comprehensive description of the rules that are mentioned and there are rules in the regulation and protocols that are not covered at all. To determine your legal obligations, consult the relevant law. If legal advice is required, consult a lawyer. In the event of a conflict between the information in this fact sheet and any applicable law, the law prevails.