It also further decreases the chance of a pollution event if the system was overwhelmed. For example, silage effluent can be diverted away from the system to slurry tanks following harvest by manually opening valves. This can be done for the initial period following harvest when effluent is released from the silage pit. After a few weeks, when a reduced volume of effluent is being produced, it can be directed through the system for treatment. Alternatively, if the system requires a greater volume of water to function then clean water from spouting’s can be diverted through the system, by opening a separate valve.