Impact of dead bird disposal pits on ground-water quality on the Delmarva Peninsula

Ground-water quality around six existing dead bird disposal pits was monitored for ammonia, nitrates, chlorides, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci. The disposal pits were located on Evesboro loamy sand, Sassafras sandy loam, Fallsington sandy loam and Klej loamy sand soils. Elevated ammonia concentrations were detected in the ground-water at three of the six existing disposal pits. Ammonia concentrations as high as 366 mg/l N were measured. Fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus concentrations were low. Over 70% of the sample did not contain fecal coliforms or fecal streptococci. Chloride concentrations were above normal levels in only one monitoring well at one of the disposal pits. Disposal pits that handle the normal mortality of a broiler grower should not cause any more ground-water contamination than an individual septic tank and soil absorption bed. If disposal pits are to be used in the future on the Delmarva Peninsula, they should be regulated.