There is only one method that delivers as promised
Heinie Alting owns a goat farm in the village of Sellingen in Groningen, close to the German border. He runs the business together with his son Niek and keeps around 1,500 goats. Heinie started in 2004 and built his first barn. However, the quality of the drinking water was not always good, so the goat farmer wanted to find a solution for the poor results of his water tests. In 2015, he found the solution that ensured he no longer had to worry about his water.
Good water is a basic necessity
"The lambing season is one of the most important periods for us," says Heinie about his goat farm. "With a large operation, many lambs are born. These lambs require a lot of care but are also the foundation of our business. It is crucial that everything goes smoothly from the very first weeks." The quality of the drinking water for the young animals is essential in this regard. "Drinking water is vital. Even if the water is dirty, they would still drink it because the animals have no choice about what water to drink. That's why it must be 100% good," Heinie states. However, this was not always the case.
Tried multiple disinfection methods, without results
Through regular water analyses, Heinie discovered that the water quality was periodically poor. "The water was always a bit cloudy by itself. I tried several disinfection methods, such as hypochlorite. It all cost a lot of money, and I saw no results. Despite all these expenses, the poor water quality kept coming back. At that point, we had to make a decision about what to do. Coincidentally, I came across an advertisement for Watter. It looked very promising, and I was curious. That’s why I decided to take steps and started a trial period."
Water troughs clean again
"During the trial period with the Watter system, I quickly noticed an effect on the water," Alting observed. "You could actually see the water change from cloudy to clean in a short time. All the feed residues also immediately settled to the bottom. Since 2015, I haven’t felt the need to switch disinfection methods—the system works fantastically! In addition to the excellent results, it’s also very user-friendly. I don’t have to think about it and only refill the system with salt tablets every so often. These reasons convinced me to keep the system after the trial period."
| Date | Water measurement | E. coli (CFU/ml) | Total germ count (CFU/ml) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
04-09-2015 (before) |
Average of the troughs |
25 |
116.000 |
|
30-11-2015 (after) |
Left-front trough |
< 10 |
< 100 |
|
Right-rear trough |
< 10 |
< 100 |
Water quality results - Maatschap H. Alting
Look beyond just the water trough
"Alongside feed, bedding, light, and climate, water is one of the critical factors on the farm that must be in good condition. These elements all influence one another and together ensure the animals’ health remains optimal," says Heinie. "What I’ve noticed about water quality is that people often think if it looks clean, they don’t need to do anything about it. It’s important not just to check the water trough but also the pipes." Alting is adamant about the Watter system: "Although the Watter system is an investment, it effectively combats poor water quality. That’s why a trial period is definitely worth it for every goat farmer."
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