Benefits of water for animals

Effect of water quality on animal performance and health

First and foremost, it is important that animals have access to clean, fresh, and safe water at all times. This essential resource is typically provided through nipples, cup drinkers, or troughs. It's crucial to note that the flow of water and the height of the nipples or cups play a significant role in the amount of water consumed by animals.

The most common water quality challenges affecting animal production include high concentrations of minerals, sulphates, nitrates and nitrites, bacterial contamination, growth of blue-green algae, and chemical contamination associated with agricultural and industrial activities.

Water quality also depends on its source and poor hygiene when storing it can represent a health concern.

Have you heard about biofim?

Do you know that slime in the internal surface of the pipes? That is biofilm.

Biofilm is an accumulation of microorganisms and (in)organic matter bound by extracellular polymer substances attached to the inner surfaces of pipes and storage tanks in water systems. Biofilm itself provides an environment for bacterial replication.

Controlling biofilm is an important step in keeping good quality water. Flushing water through pipes combined with a good disinfection protocol can be effective in removing/controlling it.

Can low quality water affect the growth and health of poultry?

Limiting water availability to animals will depress production, and poor-quality water is often a factor limiting the intake. Considering that water is consumed in large quantities, if water quality is low, there is an increased risk that water contaminants could reach a level that may be harmful. If the water quality is compromised, not only performance if negatively affected but also health and welfare.

Water intake in the first-second weeks of broiler production is low in relation to the volume of plumbing systems, creating slow flow rates, while environmental temperatures are often high to prevent chilling of the animals. This creates ideal condition for bacterial multiplication in slow‐moving, warm water. High bacterial challenge from contaminated water at this time of life can lower growth rates, decrease water/feed intake and result in scour/wet litter depending on contamination type.

Nonetheless, broilers will survive and even grow with inadequate water intake, but not to their potential. 

Monitoring water quality

There is no direct relation between hardness and pH - hard water does not necessarily have a high pH, and soft water a low pH. 

Alkalinity and hardness differences and similarities:

1. Alkalinity is the capability of water to resist pH changes or total amount of bases present in water. Hardness measures the total amount of divalent saltsch
2. The unit of measurement is the same (ppm in CaCO3 equivalents)
3. Both come from limestone or dolomite sources in nature. When the water passes through rocks, it takes minerals. Limestone and dolomite dissolve in water, Ca and Mg ions, and carbonates are mixed with water. Ca and Mg ions cause water hardness, and the alkalinity occurs due to carbonates

It is important to follow the physiochemical/microbiology water guidelines recommended by the farm vet and/or local authorities.

*Based on different sources.

For water sample collection, always, collect at entrance of the water line, and the last nipple drinker of the system, as contamination through the line changes (see table on right). Allow water to run for a few minutes to obtain a representative sample. Keep samples refrigerated and send them to a lab as soon as possible. Also collect a sample at the water source (i.e., tank), as this gives insight into the contamination within the water system.

Table: Microorganisms count (UFC/mL) through the water line. Adapted from: Macari, M. and Amaral, L.A. Importancia da qualidade da agua na criacao de frangos de corte: tipos, vantagens e desvantagens. Anais da Apinco. 1997.

Manage water quality

When lab analyses show that microorganisms count is above the maximum recommended, a cleaning of the water system is needed. Cleaning is also advised after use of medication or other additives with risk for biofilm development.

General recommendation:

1. Flush the drinking water system with clean water (pressure 2 to 3 bar). Flushing water through pipes can be effective, especially in addressing well-developed biofilms from smooth pipe interiors, such as PVC.
2. Use hydrogen peroxide for 24-48 h to loosen the biofilm (empty house). Hydrogen peroxide is more effective in removing biofilm than chloric products. Chloric products are very effective in preventing biofilm formation.

Do not forget to clean storage tanks.

Treatment of the water line in houses with animals is possible but requires suitable chemical agents. Lower concentrations of some chemicals are well tolerated and can slowly remove biofilm without detriment to the animals or to water flow.

There are many water treatments available: filtration, chlorination, acidification, among others. Chlorination and acidification are the most used methods to keep a good water quality.