Economic importance of sanitation of watering systems

Economic importance of sanitation of watering systems
Water is indispensable for the health of humans and animals. It is an essential part of the whole organism. 
On farms, water can significantly affect the health, welfare and yield of farm animals!

The quality of the drinking water must comply with the standards for potable water! Mostly, the farms are supplied with water from public water supply systems. Some farms use water from a public or private wells, but also from natural resources.
Microbial and chemically contaminated water on farms represents a latent source of diseases, it is one of the reasons for increasing antimicrobial resistance and it reduces the efficiency of vaccines, probiotics and drugs. Water quality directly affects the yield and welfare of animals and the economy of farming!

Water quality at the source may vary considerably (as to hardness, chemical composition and microbial load) see the Table 1, and moreover the water in all distribution systems of intensive operations contains mechanical impurities (sand, rust, sludge, chemical residues, loose deposits). These particles are caught by filters only partially!
Another problematic factor is water hardness (Table 1). Increasing scale deposits inside the watering system create a suitable environment for the growth, multiplication and protection of microorganisms and algae on its porous surface and thus biofilm formation. Microbial growth and biofilm growth are also aided by the temperatures above 20 °C, the use of probiotics, vitamins and antibiotics, which make up a significant proportion of nutrients for microorganisms active in biofilm. Biofilm contains (in addition to viruses and algae) also bacteria resistant to most disinfectants and antibiotics!

Also, water quality at the source (its hardness, microbial and chemical load), contamination of reservoirs, filters and watering systems (high infectious pressure in stables, temperature 20-28°C), increased cultivation of microorganisms in biofilm (application of vaccines, probiotics, vitamins, amino acids through drinking water) play important role and the fact that a complete analysis of pipeline is hardly feasible, it is necessary to work out systematic sanitation rules for all components of the watering system.The efficiency of sanitation is also direct proportional to regular repetition and hygiene standards!

The sanitation of watering systems is always divided into washing and disinfection phases:
1. cleaning and disinfection of drinking water so as to achieve a potable quality
2. washing and disinfection of all components of watering systems

Sanitation possibilities:
1. Electromagnetic methods (UV lamps, ion exchangers)
2. Chemical methods (iodophors, ozone, chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid, hypochlorites)
3. Mechanical methods (Tekro-clean, nozzles, high-pressure machines)

Why to clean watering systems?
1. hygienic safety of water
2. operational safety of lines
3. mechanical removal of sediments and impurities
4. removing nutrients cultivating unwanted microflora
5. achieving the effectiveness of subsequent disinfection

Possibilities?
1. circulation system (not effective against scale and biofilm)
2. high-pressure flushing (it damages also system materials)
3. pulsed low-pressure cleaning (it is effective without side damage)

Why to disinfect watering systems?
1. destruction of microorganisms in watering systems
2. achieving of hygienic quality of drinking water

Which disinfectants to use?
In order to avoid the examples shown in Figures 1 - 6, it is necessary to know the properties of the disinfectant!
After peroxides, aldehydes or ClO2 many species of bacteria survive in biofilm and the biofilm remains largely alive on limescale (Fig. 3). Moreover, they cause the corrosion of metals (Fig. 2). Hypochlorites are so reactive that even after contact with the ions naturally present in water and limescale they form salts, which can also represent a nutrition for microflora in the pipeline. Organic acids can only be justified in nutrition. For the purpose of sanitation of watering system, it is necessary to know the tolerance and resistance of pathogens in the list Pathogens spread by water & their importance (TEKROCIDT modified on WHO issue2 (available on request).
In order to achieve a high standard of sanitation of the watering lines, it is also necessary to use mechanical cleaning of the inner surface of watering lines!

For this reason, comprehensive biosecurity system should include also mechanical cleaning as an essential part. Tekrocid, hygiene program, includes Tekro-clean, equipment, which on a pulsed principle mechanically cleans the inner walls of the water pipe, including the watering lines on farms, with only a pressure adjustable in the range from 0.5 to 6 bar! It involves the removing of deposits, sediments, rust and other impurities, including 99.5% of biofilm, from the walls of pipelines, thus contributing greatly to reducing microbial contamination of water.

Benefits:
1. It effectively removes biofilm, rust and other contaminants from the inner walls of the pipeline
2. It can be used also in bio holdings
3. Its use is absolutely safe for animal health (biosecurity/biosafety)
4. It reduces the risks of diseases and stress (welfare)
5. It does not damage the watering system (safety)
6. It provides subsequent higher effectiveness of vaccines, antibiotics, probiotics and other additives (health)
7. Economic return during first weaning (economy)

For the disinfection itself, as part of the regular hygiene program, it is advisable to use disinfectants containing iodine, phosphoric acid and surfactants.

Proper chemicals and disinfectants must also be used to ensure that the quality of the drinking water corresponds to the potable water. They must not be corrosive, residually dangerous to animals or humans. They must be effective against resistant infectious agents and contain the correct ratio of inorganic acids for descaling. Above all, it must contain a high proportion of the right surfactant, which helps to remove biofilm residues from hard to reach places. All these requirements are met by Biocid-30^® preparations.

WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF RIGHT AND PERIODIC SANITATION OF WATERING SYSTEM?
Judge for yourself.

THE INVESTMENT IN THE TEKRO-CLEAN SYSTEM IS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE TABLES 1 AND 2.

Table 1: Results in broiler fattening per lot (<35 days of fattening):

Table 2: Results for laying hens after the first use:
Eggs laid for the period [pcs] HALL I
Prior to cleaning 26 – 56 week of age
After cleaning 26 – 56 week of age
Difference [%]
Difference [CZK]

Examples of water quality at farms

Results of sanitation of watering system for piglets using TekroClean