Pond Boss
Posted By: Johnny MAX Pig pen contamination - 06/24/19 01:28 PM
I had a waterline break and it washed water from my pig pen (with four pigs) down and it made it into my pond. This was a while back. I noticed that there is a lot less fish activity in my pond, nit sure if that is just a coinsadence. I had not been back to the pond much, so I tried to catch something from it last week, just to see if there was much activity. I tried several time and did not hook anything. I have channel cats, bluegill and largemouth bass. I just threw lures, I will try cut bait.
What do I need to do? I thought about adding a bunch of pond bacteria.
Posted By: John Fitzgerald Re: Pig pen contamination - 06/24/19 01:40 PM
It seems as if a waterline break could wash it down into the pond, a large rainstorm could do the same.......
Posted By: Johnny MAX Re: Pig pen contamination - 06/24/19 03:00 PM
I thought it would drain to the front of the property away, but it found a way to the side and into a swale that made its way to the pond. The pen is covered and rain can't get into it, so rain is not an issue. The pen is small and it is about 250' away from the pond. The busted line released A LOT of water.
I am not sure if there is a problem with the pond or not, or if there is, if the broken line had anything to do with it.
Not sure what to do, to know if I even have an issue with my pond.
Posted By: Bob Lusk Re: Pig pen contamination - 06/24/19 03:38 PM
How big is your pond? I'd think there's a bigger problem with treated water entering your pond than waste from four pigs. Take photos, you may want to have a conversation with the water supply company...if it's their fault.
Posted By: Johnny MAX Re: Pig pen contamination - 06/24/19 03:59 PM
Originally Posted By: Bob Lusk
How big is your pond? I'd think there's a bigger problem with treated water entering your pond than waste from four pigs. Take photos, you may want to have a conversation with the water supply company...if it's their fault.


It was my line. It was a hose that busted. It only flowed for a few hours (I think) before I caught it, because I notices a drop in water pressure and I had been out there a few hours before I found the busted line and it was not busted then. I did not even think about the chlorine, or chloramine. When I get my bill, I will know about how many gallons went in. I can't see it being more that a few thousand gallons, but that is a lot!
My pond is small and deep, only about 240,000 gallons with a surface area just over 1/3 acre.
Posted By: Johnny MAX Re: Pig pen contamination - 06/24/19 04:03 PM
Here are two pictures I took last week.





Attached picture 2019-06-18 07.20.26.jpg
Attached picture 2019-06-18 07.21.55.jpg
Posted By: Joey Quarry Re: Pig pen contamination - 06/25/19 01:10 AM
Four pigs and 250', I don't think you'll have many issues other than phytoplankton and algae. If it was a "hose" that ruptured, chances are the flow rate was low, probably 5-25 gallons per minute. Max, that is 9,000 gallons if it leaked for 6 hours.

Considering it had to travel 250', I am sure the majority fecal matter never made it to the pond, just whatever solubilized into the water.

Fortunately, chlorine is a volatile solute, meaning as it meandered the 250' to your pond, some was lost before it entered your pond. Chloramine is a different story but the release doesn't seem significant.

On a side note, I REALLY admire your ponds natural environment.
Posted By: Johnny MAX Re: Pig pen contamination - 06/25/19 12:30 PM
Originally Posted By: Joey Quarry
Four pigs and 250', I don't think you'll have many issues other than phytoplankton and algae. If it was a "hose" that ruptured, chances are the flow rate was low, probably 5-25 gallons per minute. Max, that is 9,000 gallons if it leaked for 6 hours.

Considering it had to travel 250', I am sure the majority fecal matter never made it to the pond, just whatever solubilized into the water.

Fortunately, chlorine is a volatile solute, meaning as it meandered the 250' to your pond, some was lost before it entered your pond. Chloramine is a different story but the release doesn't seem significant.

On a side note, I REALLY admire your ponds natural environment.


Thanks for the reply and complement. Your input makes me feel better.
I need to have the water tested, or something. I have lost a lot of fish, or so it seams. Not that I have seen any dead fish, I have not. Bowfin showed up in my pond a few years ago, that could be part of the cause. Not sure what is going on, or how to know for sure.
Posted By: Quarter Acre Re: Pig pen contamination - 06/29/19 04:18 PM
Sorry, Posted in the wrong thread.
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