MISSION: WATER 30 HEADLINE SURFACE WATER Photos: Waterkeeper Alliance Written by Lindsey Muzzio, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, Waterkeeper Alliance Combating CAFOs Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are colossal facilities where thousands of animals are raised for consumption. In the United States, North Carolina is one of the top players when it comes to production of swine and poultry by using these types of operations. But, with that high ranking comes high risks for North Carolinians. Massive facilities require massive waste management systems, like these treatment pools, which present a variety of environmental risks. Swine waste is regularly discharged directly to surface waters. Buzzard on a 'Deadbox' at a NC swine facility.