Livestock Water System Maintenance & Clean Water Safety
Molly Jones, Regional Water Resources Agent & Nicole Correa, Regional Livestock and Forages Agent
What is the primary limiting nutrient for performance in all livestock species? WATER.
Inadequate water intake affects dry matter intake, milk production, growth rate, reproductive performance, and forage utilization. Water is the driver that supports digestion, absorption, and waste excretion, along with lubricating joints and tissues. It facilitates thermoregulation and enables nutrient transport.
Livestock consumes 2.5-4% of their body weight in water daily; this amount increases for lactating animals. Each species of livestock has an average water consumption per day.
Water sources available will vary from operation to operation. Some typical water sources include farm ponds, streams or creeks, groundwater wells, and city water (treated). Every animal needs easy and clean access to water sources to thrive. Some animals will require more water than others, so multiple sources may be needed. Herd dynamics will play a role in water access for all individuals. The location of the water troughs should be easily accessed by all herd members. It is important to check that the height of the water does not exclude young animals. Be careful to consider animal safety. Some animals will play in open waters. Many types of watering systems can be deployed in an operation.
These systems are typically either gravity-fed or pumped systems.
Automatic water systems are very helpful with large herds and large acreage. Automatic systems can be cost-limiting with higher upfront costs for installation. The systems need to be checked regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.
Manual systems are helpful when funds are limited, but can be costly over time. These can be accomplished with hoses or drums/buckets. Buckets should be moved regularly. There is a daily labor cost, and waters can become dirty. It is important to ask yourself, “Did I turn off the water?”
Water troughs are constructed of various materials. Concrete is durable, but expensive and permanent. Polyurethane is lightweight, affordable, but easily breakable, and steel is durable but comes with corrosion risk.
WATER QUALITY MATTERS
Do not overlook livestock water quality. The Water may appear clean and odorless, but it can contain harmful contaminants that can cause significant issues in production. Research on the impacts of water quality on livestock is limited and ongoing. It has been found that certain contaminants can cause livestock to stop eating, stunt growth, or even lead to death. An excess of one mineral or a lack of it can affect the ability of several other minerals within the animal’s body. Certain contaminants can decrease livestock water consumption by smells not always detectable by the human nose. Iron, sulfur/sulfates, and salts can have significant impacts. High levels of sulfates and chlorides are considered salts, which can cause growth problems and diarrhea. Excess iron often shows as a red coloration in stock tanks, or it will leave a red stain. Excess iron absorbed by drinking water high in iron concentration may inhibit copper and zinc absorption, leading to a condition called cellular oxidative stress. These contaminants can compromise immune function and other essential functions.
How often are you checking the water troughs? DIRTY WATER REQUIRES THOROUGH CLEANING
- Is the water colored or murky?
- Are there algae mats present covering the surface or container walls?
- Is there a noticeable odor or sewage, rotten eggs, mold, or animal waste?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your trough needs cleaning. It is recommended that producers clean out physical debris often (daily/weekly), chemically disinfect and scrub the system at least twice a year. Cleaning during the late spring and summer months will help keep bacteria levels down.
A handheld pool skimmer works well for removing debris from open troughs. To thoroughly clean the trough, it will need to be drained entirely. Purchasing troughs with already built-in drains or installing drains will save your back and your time!
It is essential to exclude wildlife from water systems. Wildlife can cause many issues for livestock health by spreading viruses and diseases.
Steps for the sanitation of water systems
- Empty the water system and remove all debris.
- Rinse the tank twice with a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water or about 1.5 cups of bleach per gallon of water).
- Let the bleach solution contact the tank surfaces for 15 minutes.
- Keep livestock away for 30 minutes during cleaning
- Rinse the tank twice with clean water.
- Refill the tank.
Prevention of recurring algal growth
Chlorine bleach
Recommended algae preventative
2-3 oz of household bleach per 50 gallons of water can be added when refilling the tank.
This results in a minimal chlorine concentration in the water, which is safe for livestock to drink and will help control algae.
Heat will eventually burn off the bleach; the addition of bleach should be repeated once a week to remain effective in hot summer months.
Adding bleach at a greater concentration could risk creating high chlorine contamination levels and deter livestock from drinking. Unscented regular household bleach (5–6% concentration; no highly concentrated solutions, pastes, or gels) should be used for these ratios.
Copper Sulfate
At a rate of 1/8 teaspoon per 100 gallons of water can control algae growth.
Remove all dead algae from the system.
A special consideration is copper sensitivity in certain animals, such as sheep. Adding copper sulfate to the water they drink can lead to copper toxicity. Copper may also be harsh on metal tanks and piping.
Goldfish
Goldfish added to a water trough can be an effective biological control of algae, with the recommendation of 4-6 goldfish per 100 gallons of water.
Goldfish survive best with water temperatures above 60 degrees F.
Fish kills can occur if water levels become too low or the water temperature drops in the winter, depleting oxygen.
Barley Straw
Barley straw aids in the control of algae.
Barley straw will not kill existing algae, but it inhibits the new growth of algae.
This mechanism is still being researched and is poorly understood.
Barley straw, when exposed to sunlight and oxygen, produces a chemical that inhibits algae growth. Barley straw pouches are being sold in livestock feed stores for this purpose.
SHADE
If possible, keep water troughs out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will encourage algae growth.
Water Testing for water quality
It is recommended to test water for nitrates, dissolved solids, salts, pH, and fecal coliform BEFORE initial use. Testing for Coliform bacteria – recommended to test annually.
Available Resources
Clemson University Agricultural Service Laboratory
Irrigation Water Tests
Request a Special Test- pH, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, sodium, chlorine, boron, sulfur, nitrate, nitrogen, bicarbonate, carbonate, and calculated sodium absorption, Some of these will not be of concern for livestock water, but minerals and metals like iron, zinc, copper, and calcium are impactful.
Irrigation Water Sample Form: https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/ag-srvc-lab/irrigation-water
To test for coliform bacteria, private labs are an option, as well as well water testing through the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES).
Clemson University Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic
Algae samples can be sent to the lab for identification. This is important to do if you have an algal bloom with the following
- a resemblance to paint or pea soup
- a scum may form on the water’s surface or along the shoreline
- small particles or patches are common, which are generally green or blue-green (but can be other colors)
You may have a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB). Cyanobacteria blooms have been labeled “harmful algal blooms” because they can release toxins into waterways as cyanobacteria cells die and break down. These cyanotoxins can impact human and animal nervous systems and liver, irritate skin, cause gastrointestinal issues, and contribute to the development of tumors and death.
Plant/Weed Identification Form: https://clemson.app.box.com/s/tv5d0z4aaowqrfvlisdyqftfh92k6rwl
For additional information, reach out to
References:
Keeping Your Farm Well: How Water Quality Can Impact Livestock
Authors: Alec Janis and MacKenzie White, UConn Extension
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