Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compiles annual summaries of the total number of “large” concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in each state and the number of CAFOs with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. More information can be found here on the minimum number of animals confined on a CAFO to be classified as large.
The NPDES permit program plays a role in regulating pollution emanating from a single and specific source (i.e., point sources) that is discharged into the waters of the United States. Facilities with a NPDES permit are typically licensed to discharge pollutants into receiving water in a specific amount and under certain conditions. As noted by the EPA website, “permits may also authorize facilities to process, incinerate, landfill, or beneficially use sewage sludge.”
Using this EPA data, the Animal Data Project has presented an analysis of the evolution of the number of CAFOs in the United States, as recorded by the EPA, and the percentage of these operations holding a NPDES permit. Data is available from 2011 to 2021 and visualized for each state.
The analysis was conducted using two types of visualizations: a map and a race graph. The map represents the variables of interest through bubbles located in the respective states, which change in size based on the evolution of the variables during the analyzed period. The race graph, on the other hand, displays the evolution of the variables of interest across time, with each state ranked in descending order for each variable.
For each of these visualizations, filters are available by state. These filters enable the user to select specific states or regions of interest, and to access a more detailed view of the evolution of the variables over time.
The data subset used for this analysis is available by clicking the download tab on this chart. Note: to view this visualization third-party cookies must be enabled.
