Terry Kovarik
Reporting

(WFRV) Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources wants to strengthen rules to reduce manure runoff into waterways and wells.

The new rules are aimed at Mega Farms and CBS 5's Terry Kovarik reports, some call the new rules a good start while others say they go too far.

Wisconsin Farms have managed manure disposal under code NR 243 since 1984. But between 2004 and 2005, 52 home water wells were contaminated by manure runoff from concentrated animal feeding operations or Mega Farms. Now, the department of Natural Resources is updating the code.

George Stevenson says, "It will reduce the risk of manure management. And in so doing, we will better protect our resources and our drinking water supply."

The revised rules will require Mega Farms to have a 6-month storage capacity for manure and ban liquid manure spreading from December 1st - April 1st. That's when fields are most vulnerable to run offs. But, farmers who abide by current laws and support the concept of the revised rules say compliance will be very costly.

Ken Buehlow says, "The impact on my operation alone would be around 800-thousand dollars in equipment because of less time to put the nutrients on the field."

A Kewaunee County man says such costs pale with what he and his family went through. Manure runoff destroyed Scott Treml's well and caused his seven month old daughter's e-coli poisoning.

Scott Treml told us, "Imagine me address you today instead of appearing with my daughter, imagine me talking about the memory of my daughter. Then you will see the importance of this rule."

A feeling that many people indicate they share.

Currently there are 154 Mega Farms in Wisconsin. They account for about 10% of the manure generated in the state.