Guidelines to water quality suitable for
pigs to drink
Element |
Maximum
mg/kg of water (1
kg = 1 lt mg/kg = ppm) |
Aluminum |
0.1 |
Arsenic |
0.01 |
Beryllium |
0.1 |
Boron |
5 |
Cadmium |
0.005 |
Calcium |
1000 |
Chloride |
250 |
Chromium |
0.05 |
Copper |
1 |
Fluoride |
1.5 |
Hardness – calcium carbonate |
< 60 classified as soft 120-180 classified as hard > 180 classified as very hard |
Iron |
0.3 |
Lead |
0.01 |
Magnesium |
50 |
Manganese |
0.05 |
Mercury |
0.001 |
Molybdenum |
0.5 |
Nickel |
1 |
Nitrites |
1 |
Nitrates |
45 |
Phosphorus |
2.2 |
Potassium |
3 |
Sodium |
200 |
Selenium |
0.01 |
Solids (dissolved) |
500 |
Sulphate |
500 |
Uranium |
0.02 |
Vanadium |
0.1 |
Zinc |
5 |
Total viable bacterial counts (TVC) per ml 37C (99F) 22C (72F) |
Bacterial counts should be low and not vary between samples <2 x 102 < 1 x 104 |
Coliforms/100 ml |
Zero |
pH |
6.5 to 8.5 |
Temperature |
<=15°C |
Issues with specific
contaminated water supplies
Sulphate:
High water content in the water supplies has been associated with:
1. Diarrhoea/scouring at > 3000 mg/kg
2. Poor gain and feed efficiency
3. Nervousness in various age groups
4. Increased water intake – growing pigs and also
5. Decreased water intake – lactating sow
6. Decreased feed intake
There is an association with alkalinity. Note the laxative effect of sulphates are more pronounced in young (smaller) pigs.
Total
dissolved solids
< 1000 mg/kg No risk
1,000 – 3,000 mg/kg Mild diarrhoea in pigs not adapted
5000+ mg/kg Avoid in pregnant and lactating sows
7000+ mg/kg Avoid in any pig
Total dissolved solids. These can be removed but generally expensive. More of an issue in producing water for AI:
Filters
Reversed osmosis
Water softeners
Iron (Fe)
Iron levels in excess of 0.3 mg/kg can stain clothes. At this concentration it may also support iron bacteria, which result in foul odors and plugging of water systems. Levels over 0.3 mg/kg may also result in reduced water intake.
Sodium (Na)
Sodium sulphate is a well-known laxative and its association with sulphate is therefore a concern. Water with over 400 mg sodium/l may warrant an adjustment to the sodium concentration in the diet, but note that chlorine deficiency does not ensue. 800 mg sodium/l can cause diarrhoea.
Coliforms
– E. coli bacteria for example
Counts should be kept at 1/100 ml to ensure that diarrhoea does not ensue.
Algae
Green algae – control growth by applying 1g copper sulphate per 1000 litres of water.
Blue green algae – find a different water source. The water will poison the pigs.
Other
diseases that may be transmitted via the water supply
Erysipelas, Salmonellosis and Leptospirosis as examples