Stock access to watering points
Dams, soaks and springs
Be aware that the simplest option is not always the best.
Ideally, to prevent livestock eroding dam edges, fouling the water or becoming bogged and drowning, they should not have direct access to dams, springs or soaks.
Concentrated livestock traffic can damage dam walls reducing their holding capacity. Damage to the dam will increase maintenance costs and could potentially lead to a dam breaching.
Fencing off the dam and piping the water to a tank and then to a trough is a better option.
If the tank and troughs are sited downslope of the dam, the water can be gravity fed to the tank without the need for a pump. A ball valve in the tank will prevent overflow.
Alternatively, dam water can be piped direct to a trough fitted with a ball valve.
Strict attention needs to be paid to ensure livestock do not damage the ball valve in the trough leading to large scale water loss.
As with any movement of water, the system will need to be inspected regularly for leaks and to ensure the water is reaching the stock.
Creeks and rivers
Erosion of the banks of natural watercourses by livestock will impede large flows of water and increase the likelihood of flooding. Wherever practicable, livestock should be kept out of such fragile environments.
Check your legal entitlement to the water running through your property before pumping commences. It is preferable to pump stream water to a tank and trough.
Be aware that parts of certain rivers, such as the Blackwood River in Western Australia's south-west, can become so salty in summer that the water can kill livestock.
Have river water tested regularly and have an alternative source of water available.
Other sources of water
Other sources of water include scheme water, bores and wells. All these require a tank, or series of tanks at the point of capture.
The tanks should be big enough to guarantee several days of water supply for all livestock in case a pump or delivery pipeline to the tank fails.
The more water you have in reserve the more time you have to find the problems and make repairs. This is especially important for farms employing people who do not live on the property, or if the owner is regularly absent.
Tanks with integral roofs will help to reduce evaporation from the stored water. Light coloured tanks will reflect heat and help to keep water cool.
Troughs - check for length and depth
The trough length needs to accommodate at least 10% of the stock drinking at any one time. A longer trough will prevent jostling, stock injuries and damage to the trough, piping and ball valves.
If livestock have access to both sides of the trough you will require about 0.3m/sheep (for example 3m of trough edge per 100 sheep) or about 0.5m/cow or steer (for example 4m of trough edge per 40 cattle).
Where the animals only have access to one side of the trough the trough length will need to double.
The depth of the trough will affect the amount of evaporation and the water temperature.
Choose troughs that have sufficient depth and volume to keep the water reasonably cool. During periods of high demand, larger-volume troughs will more effectively keep up with the rate at which the livestock are drinking.
Float valves should be protected from damage by livestock and birds. Cockatoos have been known to destroy polystyrene floats by biting them to pieces.
Evaporation from troughs can increase the concentration of salts in the water.
Fallen material dropped into the water by livestock while they are drinking can also cause fouling making the water unpleasant.
Troughs should be cleaned out regularly and trough design that allows easy cleaning should be a consideration when purchasing.
Providing shade over troughs is an extra expense, but will help keep water cooler and evaporation rates down. However, on larger properties this may not be a cost-efficient option.
Taking the time to plan your water supply and layout can save time and money in the furture.