Why Water Quality Matters for Pigs

Water is often regarded as one of the most essential nutrients in swine production, yet it frequently does not receive adequate attention. Ensuring the water consumed by weaned piglets, growing-finishing pigs, and breeding stock is high quality is crucial for maintaining animal health, optimizing performance, and ensuring overall productivity.¹ Despite its importance, water quality is easily compromised by poor management practices, which can lead to risks affecting both animal welfare and farm efficiency.² This article explores the significance of water quality management in swine production and its impact on animal health and performance.

Water Quality Importance

Water quality plays a crucial role in the health and performance of pigs. It's not only about supplying adequate amounts of water – ensuring it is clean and free from contaminants is equally important. Pigs are particularly sensitive to water contamination, whether from microbial organisms like bacteria and viruses or chemical pollutants such as high levels of minerals. Poor water quality can adversely affect hydration, reduce feed intake, slow growth rates, and even impair reproductive performance.¹

Risks of Poor Water Quality

One of the primary concerns with poor water quality is bacterial contamination. Bacteria like Escherichia coli and Salmonella can thrive in poorly maintained water systems, forming biofilms inside water lines.⁴ Biofilms - clusters of bacteria that adhere to surfaces - are particularly problematic in swine facilities.⁵ Not only do they harbor pathogens, but they can also restrict water flow, reducing pigs' access to clean drinking water.²

In addition to microbial threats, water can contain high levels of dissolved minerals like iron, manganese, calcium, and sulfates, which can clog drinkers and reduce water intake. Hard water, characterized by high levels of calcium and magnesium, can cause a buildup in water lines, further exacerbating the problem. These factors contribute to reduced feed consumption, as pigs tend to eat less when their water intake decreases, which directly affects growth performance and efficiency.²

Impact on Performance

Water intake in pigs is closely tied to feed consumption; when water intake decreases, feed intake typically follows, leading to reduced growth and efficiency. This decrease negatively affects key performance indicators like average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratios in swine production. Monitoring water quality is essential, as poor water quality can hinder growth and health across all production phases.¹

Nitrate levels present another critical concern, particularly when concentrations exceed 300 ppm, which can lead to toxicity and even mortality in growing pigs.^10,11 Maintaining water within recommended thresholds is therefore critical for optimizing growth, feed efficiency, and overall health in swine production.

Tips for Managing Water Quality

Effective water quality management in swine barns necessitates routine monitoring and proactive maintenance of water deliver systems.^2,12,13 Key practices to enhance water quality include the following:

1. Regular Water Quality Testing

Producers should test their water regularly for microbial contamination, mineral levels, and overall water hardness. Annual testing can reveal changes in water composition that may go unnoticed. Samples should be taken from various points in the system, including both the source and the far end of the water lines.

2. Clean and Maintain Drinkers

Drinkers, including nipple and bowl drinkers, should be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of contaminants. Periodic flushing of the water lines can help clear biofilms and mineral deposits. Removing water nipples during cleaning can also prevent blockages and ensure that pigs have consistent access to water.

3. Monitor Water Flow Rates

Ensuring the correct flow rate from drinkers is essential. Blockages caused by biofilm, mineral buildup, or other contaminants can reduce water flow, making it difficult for pigs to drink enough water. Periodically check the flow rate of drinkers to ensure they are functioning optimally.

4. Control Mineral Levels

Water softeners can help mitigate the effects of hard water by reducing calcium and magnesium levels. In areas with high levels of iron or manganese, in-line filtration systems are recommended to prevent clogging of water lines and drinkers.

5. Sanitize Water Systems

Sanitization is one of the most effective ways to manage water quality, especially to control bacterial contamination. Chlorine dioxide, in particular, is a potent disinfectant that works across a broad range of pH levels. It helps combat odor-causing biofilm and slime buildup and prevents microbial growth without the negative effects associated with other disinfectants like chlorine, which can cause a bad taste in water and reduce water intake if levels are too high.

While there are several methods to treat water in swine production, chlorine dioxide has proven to be a highly effective solution, particularly for managing bacterial contamination. Unlike traditional chlorine treatments, chlorine dioxide is less affected by water pH and can maintain its efficacy over a longer distance in water lines. It is particularly effective against slime and bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, making it an excellent choice for disinfecting water systems.^2,13

Conclusion

Water quality is critical in swine production, directly impacting herd health and productivity. Contamination, high minerals, or poor sanitation can seriously impair growth and performance. Regular monitoring, clean drinkers, and treatments like chlorine dioxide help mitigate these risks. Effective water management means delivering clean, safe water to optimize feed efficiency, growth, and pig health—key factors for a successful operation.

References

¹Nyachoti, C. M., Regassa, A. & Patience, J. F. Water in Swine Nutrition. in Sustainable Swine Nutrition (ed. Chiba, L. I.) 37–63 (Wiley, 2022). doi:10.1002/9781119583998.ch2.
²Romoser, M., Greiner, L. & Patience, J. Water Quality in Swine Barns: How do we Define it? Water Qual. Swine Barns We Define It (2022).
³van Heugten, E. & Holt, J. How does water quality impact growth in weanling pigs? https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/hog-health/how-does-water-quality-impact-growth-in-weanling-pigs- (2019).
⁴Little, S., Woodward, A., Browning, G. & Billman-Jacobe, H. Water Distribution Systems in Pig Farm Buildings: Critical Elements of Design and Management. Animals 11, 3268 (2021).
⁵Percival, S. L., Malic, S., Cruz, H. & Williams, D. W. Introduction to biofilms. Biofilms Vet. Med. 41–68 (2011).
⁶Council, N. R., Earth, D. on, Studies, L. & Swine, C. on N. R. of. Nutrient requirements of swine. (2012).
⁷Patience, J. F., Beaulieu, A. D. & Gillis, D. A. The impact of ground water high in sulfates on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, and tissue mineral levels of pigs housed under commercial conditions. J. Swine Health Prod. 12, 228–236 (2004).
⁸Veenhuizen, M. F., Shurson, G. & Kohler, E. Effect of concentration and source of sulfate on nursery pig performance and health. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 201, 1203–1208 (1992).
⁹Anderson, J. S., Anderson, D. M. & Murphy, J. M. The effect of water quality on nutrient availability for grower/finisher pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 74, 141–148 (1994).
¹⁰Winks, W. R., Sutherland, A. K. & Salisbury, R. M. Nitrite poisoning of pigs. Qld. J. Agric. Sci. 7, 1–14 (1950).
¹¹Seerley, R., Emerick, R., Embry, L. & Olson, O. Effect of nitrate or nitrite administered continuously in drinking water for swine and sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 24, 1014–1019 (1965).
¹²Tietjen, L., Bossemeyer, D. & McIntosh, N. Infection Prevention Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities with Limited Resources. Infect. Prev. (2003).13.       Disinfectants & Sterilization Methods | Environmental Health & Safety | University of Colorado Boulder. https://www.colorado.edu/ehs/resources/disinfectants-sterilization-methods.

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