How to Safely Clean Up Animal Waste Run-Off from Farms or Kennels

Introduction

If you live on a farm, work in a kennel, or even run a smallholding with just a few animals, you’ll know how quickly waste builds up. It’s not just the visible mess – the droppings, bedding, feed remains or damp patches – but what happens when water mixes with that waste. Rainfall, hosing down pens, or simply the daily routine of cleaning can create run-off: liquid that carries animal waste away from its original spot and into surrounding soil, drains, ditches or, in some cases, nearby streams.

For many, this run-off becomes a serious problem. It doesn’t just smell bad; it can harbour harmful bacteria, attract pests, and threaten local water quality. But the good news is that there are safe, organic solutions. At Bioglobe, we specialise in using enzyme-based remediation – natural, biodegradable treatments that neutralise waste without resorting to harsh disinfectants or chemicals.

This article will break the issue down into three clear sections – Problem, Consequences, and Solution – so that you can see exactly what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can fix it safely.

The Problem: Animal Waste Run-Off

Every animal, whether a dog in a kennel or a herd of cattle in a field, produces waste. Manure, urine, bedding, and feed residues all accumulate over time. On their own, these are natural by-products of keeping animals. The trouble begins when water carries this waste away, creating run-off.

Run-off is usually a mix of:

• Solid particles – small amounts of faeces, bedding fibres, feed grains.
• Nutrients – nitrogen (from urine), phosphorus (from faeces), and other fertilising compounds.
• Pathogens – bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Campylobacter, as well as parasites like Giardia or worm eggs.
• Organic compounds – proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and fibrous material.
• Odour-causing molecules – ammonia, volatile fatty acids, sulphur compounds.

This liquid mixture spreads quickly. It seeps into soils, travels along pathways, or flows into ditches and drains. In kennels, it may pool in corners or seep beneath runs, creating damp, smelly spots. On farms, it may wash across yards, into fields, or towards watercourses.

Because animal waste is biologically active, it doesn’t just sit there. Microbes begin to break it down, releasing gases and compounds that intensify odours and create a breeding ground for pests. What looks like dirty water is actually a complex pollutant.

The Consequences: Why Run-Off Cannot Be Ignored

At first glance, a bit of dirty water might not seem too serious. But the consequences of animal waste run-off can be far-reaching, affecting not only the immediate environment but also animal health, human wellbeing, and even regulatory compliance. Let’s look at the main issues.

1. Persistent Odours

Anyone who has walked past a kennel on a hot day or stood near a poorly managed manure pile knows the smell. Ammonia from urine, sulphur from decomposing faeces, and volatile fatty acids all combine to create an unmistakable odour.

These smells don’t just linger; they spread. They can make living or working in the area uncomfortable, create complaints from neighbours, and give visitors the impression of poor hygiene – even when the animals themselves are well cared for.

2. Health Risks for Animals and Humans

Run-off often contains harmful bacteria and parasites. When these spread into soils, yards, or water troughs, they can reinfect animals, leading to stomach upsets, diarrhoea, or more serious illnesses.

For humans, especially those working closely with animals, the risks are also real. Pathogens like E. coli can cause gastrointestinal illness, while parasites can be transferred through contaminated water or soil. Children playing near farmyards or kennels may be particularly vulnerable.

3. Soil and Groundwater Contamination

When waste-laden water soaks into the ground, it doesn’t just disappear. The nutrients and organic matter accumulate in the soil, disturbing its natural balance. High nitrogen levels can burn plants, while excess organic matter reduces oxygen levels in the soil, encouraging anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions that lead to further smells and degraded soil structure.

In worse cases, nutrients leach into groundwater, raising nitrate levels. This can affect the safety of drinking water supplies and contribute to long-term environmental damage.

4. Water Pollution and Eutrophication

If run-off reaches streams, ditches, or rivers, it becomes a pollutant. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus fuel the rapid growth of algae in water – a process known as eutrophication. While algae may seem harmless, dense blooms deplete oxygen in the water, suffocating fish and other aquatic life.

Run-off also increases the biological oxygen demand (BOD) of water. Essentially, microbes in the water consume more oxygen to break down the added organic matter, leaving less oxygen available for aquatic organisms.

5. Attraction of Flies and Pests

Run-off creates damp, organic-rich areas – perfect breeding grounds for flies, mosquitoes, and other pests. Flies lay eggs in waste, and within days maggots hatch, adding to the problem. These pests are not just a nuisance; they can carry disease, spread bacteria, and make life miserable for animals and people alike.

6. Regulatory and Legal Risks

Increasingly, farms and animal facilities are under scrutiny for environmental management. Local authorities and environmental agencies monitor water pollution, odours, and animal welfare closely. Failure to control waste run-off can lead to fines, enforcement notices, or reputational damage.

The Solution: Enzyme-Based Organic Remediation

Traditional approaches to cleaning up waste often rely on harsh disinfectants such as bleach or strong chemicals to kill bacteria and mask odours. While these may work in the short term, they often cause collateral damage – harming beneficial microbes, damaging soils, or leaving behind residues that affect animals and plants.

Bioglobe offers a different path: enzyme-based remediation.

What Are Enzymes?

Enzymes are natural proteins that act as catalysts. They speed up chemical reactions without being consumed themselves. Each enzyme targets a specific type of compound:

• Proteases break down proteins from faeces.
• Lipases digest fats and oils.
• Amylases act on carbohydrates and fibres.
• Oxidoreductases tackle more stubborn compounds, including those that cause odours.

In simple terms, enzymes digest waste at the molecular level, turning complex, smelly, and potentially harmful substances into simpler, harmless ones like carbon dioxide, water, or amino acids.

Why Enzymes Work So Well in Animal Waste Management

1. Targeted action – Instead of indiscriminately killing microbes, enzymes break down the food sources that pathogens feed on, starving them out naturally.
2. Odour control – By dismantling odour-causing compounds before they turn into gases, enzymes neutralise smells at the root.
3. Eco-friendly – Enzymes are biodegradable and break down into harmless amino acids. They don’t persist in the environment or harm beneficial organisms.
4. Safe for animals and people – Because enzymes only act on waste materials, they don’t damage animal tissues, plants, or soil life.
5. Customisable – At Bioglobe, we can analyse the specific pollutants present in run-off and design a bespoke enzyme blend for maximum effectiveness.

How Bioglobe’s Approach Works

Bioglobe’s process is designed to be practical, adaptable, and safe.

1. Site Analysis – We take samples of run-off, soil, or contaminated water and analyse them in our lab. This tells us which pollutants are present and in what quantities.
2. Bespoke Formulation – Based on our findings, we create a tailored enzyme blend. No two sites are the same, and this custom approach ensures the best results.
3. Application – The enzyme solution can be diluted and sprayed over problem areas, added to drainage channels, or applied directly to contaminated soil.
4. Action Time – Once applied, the enzymes immediately begin breaking down waste materials. Within hours, odours start to reduce, and the load of harmful compounds begins to fall.
5. Maintenance – For areas with heavy use, regular applications keep conditions under control. This may mean weekly or biweekly treatments, depending on waste volumes.

Why Choose Enzyme Remediation Over Chemicals

• No toxic residues – Unlike bleach or ammonia-based products, enzymes leave no harmful by-products.
• Soil-friendly – Enzymes work with natural soil processes, enhancing microbial activity rather than destroying it.
• Safe for nearby water – Enzyme-treated run-off that reaches streams is far less damaging than untreated or chemically treated waste.
• Scalable – Whether you run a small kennel or a large farm, enzyme solutions can be scaled up or down to suit your needs.

Everyday Examples

• Kennels – A kennel struggling with odours in hot weather applies enzyme treatment to runs and drainage areas. Within a week, the smell is reduced, and the number of flies decreases significantly.
• Small Farm – A smallholder with goats and chickens notices that after heavy rain, waste water pools near a gate and smells strongly. After applying an enzyme blend, the odour subsides, and the soil recovers more quickly.
• Larger Farm – A dairy farm facing complaints from neighbours about smell uses a tailored enzyme solution in its waste channels. The system reduces odours and improves compliance with local regulations.

FAQs

Can enzymes stop kennel or farmyard smells?
Yes. Enzymes act directly on the compounds that cause bad smells, such as ammonia and sulphur compounds. By breaking them down before they release odour, enzymes provide lasting control rather than just masking the smell.

Are enzyme cleaners safe for animals?
Absolutely. Enzymes are non-toxic and biodegradable. They act only on waste materials and do not harm animals, humans, or beneficial soil microbes. Unlike harsh chemicals, they don’t burn paws, irritate skin, or leave behind harmful residues.

Will this treatment reduce flies and pests?
Yes. Flies are attracted to decaying organic matter. By breaking waste down quickly, enzyme treatment removes the breeding ground that flies rely on. Over time, this means fewer pests in and around kennels or farmyards.

Can enzyme treatment help nearby stream pollution?
Definitely. By treating waste before it reaches streams or ditches, enzyme solutions reduce nutrient loads and pathogens, helping to protect aquatic life and maintain cleaner waterways.

How often should I treat areas with a lot of waste?
The frequency depends on how many animals you have and how much waste they produce. High-traffic areas may need weekly or even twice-weekly treatment. Smaller operations may only need treatment every fortnight. Monitoring smell and cleanliness is the best guide.

Conclusion

Animal waste run-off is more than just a messy inconvenience – it carries real risks for health, the environment, and daily comfort. But it doesn’t have to be solved with harsh chemicals that do as much harm as good.

Bioglobe’s organic enzyme remediation provides a safe, sustainable, and effective way to neutralise waste, control odours, and protect soils and water. Whether you’re managing a kennel, a small farm, or a larger agricultural business, enzymes offer a modern solution that works with nature, not against it.

Bioglobe offer Organic Enzyme pollution remediation for major oil-spills, oceans and coastal waters, marinas and inland water, sewage and nitrate remediation and agriculture and brown-field sites, throughout the UK and Europe.

We have created our own Enzyme based bioremediation in our own laboratory in Cyprus and we are able to create bespoke variants for maximum efficacy.

Our team are able to identify the pollution, we then assess the problem, conduct site tests and send samples to our lab where we can create a bespoke variant, we then conduct a pilot test and proceed from there.

Our Enzyme solutions are available around the world, remediation pollution organically without any harm to the ecosystem.

For further information:
BioGlobe LTD (UK),
Phone: +44(0) 116 4736303| Email: info@bioglobe.co.uk