Publications By L. Mark Risse

A Beginner's Guide to Septic Systems (B 1421) Many buildings and homes have on-site wastewater management systems, commonly called septic systems. Because septic systems are buried, it is easy to forget about them as they quietly, elegantly and e…

Beneficial Reuse of Municipal Biosolids in Agriculture (SB 27) Farmers have known for centuries that animal manures spread on pastures and cropland can improve soil fertility. In the 1920s, farmers began to use sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants as…

Best Management Practices for Wood Ash as Agricultural Soil Amendment (B 1142) Ash has been considered a waste product instead of a resource, because few industries have taken advantage of its beneficial properties. Several alternative uses for wood ash have been developed. Land…

Calculating the Fertilizer Value of Broiler Litter (C 933) This publication gives a procedure to calculate the value of broiler litter based on prevailing retail selling prices of commercial fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Compost Utilization for Erosion Control (B 1200) Composting is the controlled biological process of decomposition and recycling of organic material into a humus-rich soil amendment known as compost. Mixed organic materials such as manure, yard trimm…

Developing a WaterSmart Landscape (C 930) A water smart landscape is more than just water-efficient. It's a landscape that has been carefully designed, properly installed and managed to reduce pollution, improve conservation and ensure year-r…

Environmental Water Quality Series: Bacterial Source Tracking (BST) (B 1242-7) Fecal contamination of water impacts many regions of the U.S. and may carry risks to human health. When a water body fails to meet water quality standards for fecal bacteria, the Federal Clean Water A…

Environmental Water Quality Series: Drinking Water Protection in Georgia (B 1242-5) Drinking water sources in Georgia (surface and ground water) can be contaminated by landfills and dumps, leaky septic tanks, urban runoff, industry and agricultural operations. The state of Georgia ha…

Environmental Water Quality Series: Georgia's Water Quality Standards (B 1242-3) The Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) is responsible for setting and enforcing water quality standards. The goals of establishing these s…

Environmental Water Quality Series: On-Site Wastewater Management Systems and Their Environmental Impact (B 1242-4) On-site wastewater treatment systems provide treatment and ultimate dispersal of wastewater from homes and small businesses. They usually consist of a septic tank, a drain field and the underlying soi…

Environmental Water Quality Series: Total Maximum Daily Loads in Georgia (B 1242-2) A total maximum daily load (TMDL) is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards. This publication contains comprehensive in…

Environmental Water Quality Series: Urban Storm Water Management in Georgia (B 1242-6) Storm water is the runoff from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots and building rooftops during rain events. It often contains pollutants such as nutrients, bacteria, sedimen…

Environmental Water Quality Series: Watershed Assessment in Georgia (B 1242-1) Watershed assessment is the measurement and use of chemical, physical and biological properties to determine the current health of streams. It also can include the use of predictive modeling of waters…

Land Application of Livestock and Poultry Manure (C 826) This publication provides information on (1) the nutrient content of manures available for land application, (2) how to determine manure application rates and whether supplemental fertilizer will be n…

On-Site Reuse of Ground Wood Waste from Georgia Residential Construction (B 1294) Currently, most construction waste is put in dumpsters and taken to a construction and demolition (C&D) landfill. However, several residential construction wastes can be recycled or reused as part of …

Regulations for On-Farm Storage Tanks in Georgia (B 1136) This publication provides a brief overview of the major regulatory agencies and highlights the rules that Georgia farmers should be aware of concerning storage tanks on their farms.

Small Farm Nutrient Management Primer: For Un-permitted Animal Feeding Operations (B 1293) Producers need to be aware of the impacts that manure can have on water and air quality. However, management of manure and other byproducts of livestock and poultry production has important impacts on…

Water Quality and Common Treatments for Private Drinking Water Systems (B 939) An abundant supply of clean, safe drinking water is essential for human and animal health. Water from municipal or public water systems is treated and monitored to ensure that it is safe for human con…