Effective water quality management is essential, as water makes up over 60% of an animal’s body. Animals also consume at least twice as much water as feed. This highlights the importance of qualitative water to avoid disease or performance issues. Water plays a vital role in various functions, including regulation of body temperature, aiding digestion, removing waste, moving feed through the gastrointestinal tract and transporting nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.

To ensure proper control of these functions and prevent disease outbreaks, livestock farmers must routinely monitor water quality. In the past, antibiotics were frequently used to control disease outbreaks. However, this approach is now under scrutiny due to European guidelines that promote prudent antibiotic use to reduce antibiotic resistance. As a result, preventive measures, such as water quality control, are gaining more attention.

One key challenge in maintaining water quality is the formation of biofilms within drinking lines. These biofilms are clustered groups of microorganisms (including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, spores) encased in a self-produced slime layer attached to the walls of the drinking lines. Biofilm formation starts when microorganisms attach to the drinking line surface. Once attached, microorganisms multiply, forming small colonies and start producing a protective slime layer. Thanks to this slime layer, biofilms show high tolerance towards disinfectants or antibiotics, making them hard to eradicate. Microbes can also detach from the biofilm to initiate a new biofilm further down the line, eventually colonising the entire drinking system.

For more information about cleaning and disinfecting your waterlines, please contact us.