Waterers and Watering Systems - KSRE Bookstoreand watering systems: A handbook for livestock owners...
Transcript of Waterers and Watering Systems - KSRE Bookstoreand watering systems: A handbook for livestock owners...
Waterers and Watering Systems:
A Handbook for Livestock Producers and LandownersKansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................... 2Water Sources ................................................................. 7 Stream................................................................. 9 PondandPit..................................................... 13 DevelopedSpring............................................. 17 HorizontalWell................................................ 21 WetWell........................................................... 27 DrilledWell...................................................... 31 WaterHarvesting.............................................. 37 RuralWaterDistrict(PublicSupply)................ 45 HauledWater.................................................... 49Power Sources, Pumps, Pipelines and Storage Tanks ........................................................ 53 SolarPower....................................................... 55 Pump................................................................ 59 Wind-PoweredAirPressureSystem................. 65 Windmill.......................................................... 69 Animal-ActivatedPumpingSystem.................. 73 Water-PoweredPump....................................... 77 PipelineNetwork.............................................. 83 WaterStorageTank.......................................... 87
Animal Drink Delivery .................................................. 91 ConcreteWaterers............................................ 93 LimitedAccessWateringPoints....................... 97 HardenedSurfaceAccess.................................101 Super-InsulatedWaterer..................................105 BottomlessTank..............................................109 TireTank.........................................................113 FiberglassorGalvanizedTank.........................117Livestock Management Practices .............................. 121 HardenedMat(geosyntheticsandgravel).......123 GrazingManagementChanges forWaterQuality...........................................127 FencingthePond.............................................131Supplemental Materials ............................................. 135 WaterVolumeRequirementsforLivestock.....136 SitingWateringFacilities.................................137 CalculatingTankCapacity...............................138 CalculatingRequirePipelineSize....................139 CalculatingWetWellCapacity........................142 PermitsinKansas.............................................143 HelpfulResources............................................146Credits .......................................................................... 148
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This reference should be cited as:Blocksome,C.E.andG.M.Powell(eds).2006.Waterersandwateringsystems:Ahandbookforlivestockownersandlandowners.KansasStateUniversityAgriculturalExperimentStationandCooperativeExtensionService,Manhattan,KS.
ThishandbookwillalsobeavailableinasmallerprintedformasKansasStateUniversityAgriculturalExperimentStationandCooperativeExtensionServicepublicationS-147.Order-inginformationisavailableathttp://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/orbycalling(785)532-5830.
FinancialassistancefortheKansasGrasslandWaterQualityStewardshipProgramisprovided,inpart,throughEPASection319Non-pointSourcePollutionControlGrantK3-016byagrantagreementwiththeKansasDepartmentofHealthandEnvironment.
Kansas Grassland Water Quality Stewardship Program,
Dept. of Agronomy, Kansas State University
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Why should I be concerned about where my cattle drink?Livestocktendtoconcentratearoundwatersources.Thisactivitycanleadtoreducedvegetativecoverandincreasedmanureconcentrationinandaroundwatersources.Thewatersourcecanbecomepollutedwithsediment,nutrients,andfecalcoliformandstreptococcusbacteria,leadingtoimpairedwaterquality.
How can I change my livestock drinking and loafing behavior?Livestockdistributioncanbealteredbymanipulatinglive-stockattractants.Wateristhestrongestattractant,bothfordrinkingandloafing.Otherattractantsaremineralandsaltfeeders,oilersandscratchingposts,gates,shade,windpro-tection(winter),breezyheights(summer),feedingareas,patchesofhighlypalatableforageandcattleinadjacentpas-tures.Removingoraddingattractantsorredistributingthemcanaltercattledrinkingandloafingbehavior.
Cattle defecate in the water and erode the streambank and pond edge.
Introduction
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How can I use my water resources to meet both the needs of my livestock and water quality concerns?Existingwaterresourcescanberenovatedormodifiedandnewsourcesofwatercanbeadded.Frequentlyanexistingwatersourcecanbeusedwitharelocateddistributionpoint(watererortank).Theareaaroundawaterdistributionpointcanbeprotectedtoreducemudanderosionproblems.Cattlespendaslittleas4minutesadayactuallydrinkingbutcanspend10timesaslongloafingaroundthewatersource.1Loafingactivitiesincreasethewaterqualityproblemsassoci-atedwithwaterdistributionpoints.Thesedistributionpointscanbemadelessattractiveforloafingbyremovingnearbyattractants,placingotherattractantswellawayfromthedis-tributionpoint,andbymakingthedistributionpointlesscomfortableorlesseasilyaccessibleforloafing.Providingawatersourceawayfromastreamcanreducetimespentbycattleintheriparianareabyupto96percent.Pro-vidingshadeawayfromstreamscanalsoreducetheamountoftimecattlespendintheriparianarea.21Clawson,J.E.1993.Theuseofoff-streamwaterdevelopmentsandvariouswatergapconfigurationstomodifythewateringbehaviorofcattle.M.S.Thesis,OregonStateUniversity.2Byers,H.L,M.L.Cabrera,M.K.Matthews,D.H.Franklin,J.G.Andrae,D.E.Rad-cliffe,M.A.McCann,H.A.Kuykendall,C.S.HovelandandV.H.CalvertII.2005.CattleuseofriparianareasintheGeorgiaPiedmont,U.S.A.J.Environ.Quality34:2293-2300.
Cattle congregating under trees can destroy vegetation, especially if the trees are located near a water source.
4How is water made available to animals?Therearethreemainoptionsforprovidingwatertoanimals: •directaccesstoawatersource •gravityflowfromahigherelevation •pumpfromalowerelevationDo animals have a preference about where they drink?Severalstudieshaveexamineddrinkingpreferences.Hay-fedcattlehavebeenshowntopreferdrinkingfromatroughratherthanastream3.Crawfordetal.(2001)foundnodifferencesincattlepreferenceforpondvs.wellwater,eventhoughthepondwaterhadhighlevelsoffecalcoliformbacteria4.Anotherdemonstrationstudy5foundthat76%ofthetimecattledrankfromatankratherthanapondwhenbothwereavailable;tankwaterhadmuchlowerlevelsofsus-pendedsolids(sediment)thanpondwater.How do livestock respond to water quality?Livestockmayrespondtofecalcontaminationofwaterqualitybyreducingwaterintake6.Thismayaffectproductionthroughreducedfeedintake.3Miner,J.R.,J.C.Buckhouse,andJ.A.Moore.1992.Willawatertroughreducetheamountoftimehay-fedlivestockspendinthestream(andthereforeimprovewaterquality)?Rangelands.Soc.forRangeManagement.14(1):35-38.4Crawford,R.J.,andE.Cole.1999.Effectofwatersourceandqualityonwaterintakeandperformanceofcowsandcalvesgrazingtallfescue.1999ResearchRep.,South-westMissouriAgric.Res.EducationCenter,Mt.Vernon.5Suber,G.,K.WilliamsandM.Manoukian.2006.Drinkingwaterqualityforbeefcattleanenvironmentfriendlyandproductionmanagementenhancementtechnique.Beef:questionsandanswers.MontanaStateUniversityExtensionandMontanaBeefCouncil,Bozeman.6Willms,W.D.,O.R.Kenzie,T.A.McAllister,D.Colwell,D.Veira,J.F.Wilmshurst,T.Entz,andM.E.Olson.2002.Effectsofwaterqualityoncattleperformance.J.RangeManage.55(5):452-460.
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How do I decide which option to use?Thepurposeofthishandbookistoassistyouinchoosingawateringsystemthatfitsyourbudgetandneeds.Somesys-temswillonlyworkincertainsituations.Theymayrequirespecificgeologicalformations(suchassprings)ordependonspecificelevationdifferences.Whilecomponentsmaybeoff-the-shelf,thearrangementandinstallationofawateringsystemmustbeadjustedtoeachsite.Asyoulookthroughthishandbook,keepinmindthecharacteristicsofyourlandandsite,thetimeyouhaveavailableformanagementandupkeep,andthesizeandtypeofanimalyouhave.Thesewillallfactorintoyourdecisionsaboutwhichoptiontochoose.
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Water Sources Comparison Chart
Stream
Pond
Developed Spring
Horizontal Well
Wet Well
Drilled Well
Water Harvesting
Rural Water District
Hauled Water
Source Estimated CostPrimary Disadvantage(s)Primary Advantage(s)Naturallyoccurring,nodirectinstallationcost
Watermaybecomestagnantandofpoorqualityinlowflows;canincreaselevelsoffecalcoliformandotherbacteriainwater
Doesnotinvolvemechanicalorelectricalpartsthatcanfail;oftenusedforfishingandotherrecreationalactivities
Directlivestockaccesscancausepoorwaterquality;costofinitialconstructionandrestorationishigh
Relativelyinexpensive;smallflowscanbeturnedintoavaluablewatersupply
Springsmaynotbepresent
Canaccessasignificantlylargerwater-bearingzonethannormallycanbeaccessedwithaverticalwellborehole
Localwelldrillersmaybeunfamiliarwiththeprocess;horizontalwelldrillingequipmentmaynotbereadilyavailable
Simpleandinexpensive;lesssedimentandfewernutrientsenteringstreamsandponds
Streamaccessrequired;mayrequirerentedequipmentoracontractortoinstall;fewexamplesinKansas
Waterqualityfromwellsisusuallyquiteconsistent;typicallyhasalongusefullifewhenregularlymaintained
Groundwatermaybedeep,makingwelldrillingexpensive;aquifermaynotbepresent
Usefulinareaswherenaturalwatersourcesarescarce;canbelocatedinextremelyremoteareaswhereotherwatersourcesareimpractical
Waterquantityisdependentuponrainfallandharvestedarea;mostusefulforsmallnumbersoflivestock
Dependentontype;$300forsmallself-supportingstructure
Ruralwaterdistrictsuppliesaregenerallyreliablewithfewinterruptionsoroutages;wateristreatedandmeetspublicwatersupplystandards
Notavailableatalllocations;minimumwaterusechargesevenduringtimewhenwaterisnotused;membershipand/ormeterfees
Dependsondistancefromwatermaintodistributionpoint;$1,000-$2,000ormoreplusmonthlyfees
Verymobile;allowsshort-termgrazingoftemporaryforagesuppliessuchascropresidue
Haulingwaterislaborintensive;muddyorsnowyconditionscancomplicateorevenprohibitwaterdelivery
Usedanhydroustankandtrailercanbepurchasedforabout$500;recurringlaborandfuelcosts
$3,000ormore
Noneforunrestrictedaccess
$15-30/ft.todrill;$500-$1,000ormoreforapumpingsystem
$1,000ormore
$10/ft.todrill;smallsubmersiblepump$350;pumpcasing$150;4”PVCpipe$1/ft.;totalwellcost$1,500-$2,500(higherfigureincludeselectricityhookup)
$1,500-$2,500installed
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Water Sources
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Stream
OverviewSmallstreamsareacommonsourceoflivestockwaterinKansas.Whiletherearesomeadvantages,youshouldcare-fullyconsiderotherissues,suchasconcernsaboutreliability,bankerosionandwaterquality.Specialstepsshouldbetakentominimizetheseproblemsiflivestockwillbegivendirectaccesstostreams.
Advantages •Naturallyoccurring,nodirectinstallationcost •Waternormallycleanandfresh •Hardenedsurfaceaccesspointscanbeusedtominimize
animaldamage •MayprovideavehiclecrossingpointLimitations •Susceptibletobankerosion •Potentialinjurytolivestockslippingonbanksorgetting
caughtintreeroots •Needsregularrepairstowatergapsafterfloods •Serveasattractantsthatcancauseheavyuseofriparian
areasandpoorgrazingpatterns •Flowmaybeseasonalandstopduringdryperiods •Watermaybecomestagnantandofpoorqualityinlow
flows •Increaseslevelsoffecalcoliformandotherbacteriain
water
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Stream
Design ConsiderationsRestrictingaccesstospecificpointsalongastreamshouldbeaprimarygoal.Thiswilleliminatemostofthebankerosioncausedbylivestocktrafficaswellaspotentiallivestockinju-ries.Developaccessrampsortrailswithhardenedsurfacessuchascoarsegravelovergeotextileandslopesof6:1orflat-ter.Theseshouldalloweasyaccesstopoolswithinthestreamthatlivestockpreferoverriffles.Locatingshade,salt,minerals,andwinterfeedingsitesinportionsofthepastureawayfromthestreamwillhelpreducethetimelivestockspendatoradjacenttothewater.Refertothe“LimitedAccessWateringPoints”section(p.97)foradditionaldesigninformation.Thispracticemayrequirepermits.Pleasereadthepermitsectionofthishandbook(p.143).
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Pond and Pit
OverviewPondsarethemostcommonsourceoflivestockwaterthroughoutmuchofKansas.Theygenerallystorelargequan-titiesofwater,canbeconstructedinvarioussettings,andmayprovideotherbenefitslikerecreationandfloodcontrol.How-ever,concernsaboutsedimentationandwaterqualityjustifyconsiderationofalternatewatersources.
Advantages •Simpleandadaptabletomanylocations •Willgenerallystorealong-termsupply •Multipleexamplesandexperiencedcontractors
readilyavailable •Doesnotinvolvemechanicalorelectronicparts
thatcanfail •Oftenusedforfishingandotherrecreationalactivities •Oftendesignedfordetentionofheavyrunofftoreduce
floodingdownstream
Limitations •Sedimentationandbankerosionlimitlifeofreservoirstorage •Directlivestockaccesscancausepoorwaterquality •Initialconstructionandlaterrestorationcostsarehigh •Steepbanksarehazardstolivestockwhenmuddy •Animalswalkingonthepondinthewintermayfall
throughtheice •Aholemayneedtobechoppedintheicetoprovide
waterforlivestockinwinter •Erosioninemergencyspillwaysisacommonproblem •Runoffneededtorefillthereservoirwillbelimited
andsporadicinlowrainfallarea •Generallynotsuitableforsandyorrockysoils •Pondsthatdonotholdwateraredifficulttoremedy
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Pond
EmergencySpillway
Dam
Longitudinal Section(not to scale)
Cross Section(not to scale)
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Pond or Pit
Design ConsiderationsMostpondsareconstructedbyexcavatingmaterialthatisusedtobuildanembankment(dam)acrossaninciseddrain-age.Reservoirsizeisaresultofthenaturaldepthofthedrainageandexcavationofmaterialforthedam.Inbroad,flatdrainages,itmaybenecessarytocreateareservoirbysimplyexcavatingapit.Pitsmayalsobebuiltoutsideofdrainagesinsituationswheretheyaresuppliedbyundergroundflow.Sizeandlocationarecriticalfactorswhendesigninglivestockponds.Pondsshouldbelargeenoughtostoreenoughwatertosupplylivestockforextendeddryperiods(generallytwoyears)ofhighevaporationandnorunoff–withtheexceptionofpondssuppliedbyspringsandundergroundflow.Embankmentpondsusuallyincludeaprimaryspillwayortricklepipeforcontrolledreleaseofdetentionwateraswellasaflatemergencyspillwayattheendofthedamtocarryexcesswaterduringhighrainfallevents.Sizingthetricklepipeanddetentionstor-agerelativetothesizeandslopeofthedrainagewillprotecttheemergencyspillwayfromrepeatedflowsanderosion.
Pondsshouldbelocatedinareasthatgetlessgrazingpressurefromlivestock–oppositeprevailingsummerwindsandawayfromshade,streams,saltandmineralsites.Damsandotherdisturbedareasshouldbereseededsoonafterconstruction.Installationofwatersupplylinesunderorthroughthedamandfencingwillimprovewaterqualityandextendthelifeofthepond.Properlydesignedpondsofminimumsizegenerallycostatleast$3,000andlargerpondsmuchmore.AssistancewithdetaileddesignsiscommonlyavailablethroughlocalNRCSandconservationdistrictoffices.Thispracticemayrequirepermits.Pleasereadthepermitsectionofthishandbook(p.143).Damscanalsoinvolvewaterrights.Formoreinformation,checkhttp://www.ksda.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=324.Thelandownerisresponsibleforthesafeoperationandmaintenanceofthedam.Whensitingadam,considerdown-streamdevelopmentthatwouldbeaffectedifthedamshouldfail.
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Developed Spring
OverviewSpringdevelopmentisarelativelyinexpensiveinvestmentcomparedtoawellorfarmpondtoprovidewaterforlive-stock.
Advantages
•Improvedwaterqualityforlivestock •Reducedriskofinjurytolivestockfallingthroughice
inwinter •Relativelyinexpensive •Evensmallflowscanbeturnedintoavaluable
watersupply •Maybepossibletodevelopwithoutelectricity •Maybepossibletodevelopwithon-farmsupplies
toreducecost
Limitations •Springsoccurnaturallyandinlimitedareas •Asmallspringrequiresconstructionofstoragecapacityto
haveareliablesupplyofwater •Supplementalpowerisrequiredifwateristobe
pumpeduphill •Thespringshouldbeprotectedfromlivestockdistur-
bances •Carefuldesign,planning,andconstructionarerequired
foraclean,reliablesupplyofwater •Springflowmaydeclineorstopduringdrought
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4” Perforated DrainTile Collector
2” Delivery PipeImpervious Layer
Gravel Envelope
Channel to DivertFlow Around Spring
Minimum 3’ Soil Cover
Anti-seep wall
Delivery Pipe
Spring Box Inlet
StockTank
Over�ow
Outlet to Surfaceat Least 50 ft. Away
DiversionDitch
GeotextileFabric
Gravel
Impervious Stratum
Cuto� Wall
Cover with Soil
18” to 24”
21a. Concentrated Spring 21a. Low-area Spring
4” CollectionTile
Seep Area
4” Collection TileCuto� Wall,4’ high x 4” thick,length as neededPipe to Springbox
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Lock 2” Min.
Surface WaterDiversion Ditch
Fence
Clay 10’ Min.
Water-Bearing Gravel
ScreenedDrain
Water Stop
Maximum Water Level
Over�ow
Valve& Box
To Storage
Steps
Cleanout Drain
PerforatedPipe
Developed Spring
Design ConsiderationsEvensmallflowscanbedevelopedtowaterlivestock.Ataminimum,aspringshouldhaveayear-roundflowrateofatleastonegallonaminute.Withproperstorage,thisminimumflowcanwaternearly100cattle.Itisimportanttomoni-torthespringflowthroughthedifferentseasonsoftheyear.Youcanconsultolderneighborsorpreviousownersaboutaspring’sdependabilityasawatersource.Forspringslocatedonslopesorridges,itmaybepossibletopipethewatertoaseriesoftanksinmultiplepasturesdown-hill.Whileyear-roundspringsarepreferred,“wetweather”springsmaybesatisfactoryifthepastureisusedforearlyintensivestocking.Inthiscasethespringsgenerallyproduceuntilthehot,dryperiodinJulyandAugust.Thesameprinci-palmayapplytopasturesusedforwintergrazingwhenmostofthevegetationisdormantandthereislittleevaporation.Propermanagementofthelandscapearoundthespringcanconservethequantityandqualityofthewater.Whileyoucan’tincreasethetotalwaterflowavailable,youcanremovecattails,shrubsandtreestodirectmoreofthespringflowintothelivestockwateringsystem.Fencinglivestockawayfromtheseepageareaorinstallingundergroundcollectiontilewillhelpprotectthequalityofspringwater.
Thelandscapearoundthespringshouldbeshapedtodivertsurfacewaterrunoff.Ifanundergroundcollectiontrenchischosen,abackhoecanbeusedtodigoutthecollectiontrench.Aplasticmembranecanbeusedtofunnelunder-groundseepageintoperforateddrainagepipe,usually3”orlarger.Thispipeshouldbesurroundedbyafabricfilterandwashedrock.Thewatercanthenbepipedtoastoragecon-tainerordirectlytoadownhilllivestockwatertank.Thecollectiontrenchwouldbecoveredwithclayandmoundedtopreventsurfacewaterinfiltration.Toproperlydesignaspring-fedwateringsystem,contactyourlocalNRCSfieldofficefortechnicalconstructiondetailssoyouwillbeassuredofhavingalow-maintenanceanddependablewateringsystem.Thispracticemayrequirepermits.Pleasereadthepermitsectionofthishandbook(p.143).
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Horizontal Well
OverviewHorizontalwelldrillinganddirectionalboringtechnologyhavebeencommerciallyavailableinthepetroleumindustrysincethelate1980s.Theyhavesteadilygrowninuseandacceptabilityinmanyotherfields,includingutilities,hazard-ouswasteclean-up,andwaterwells.Intheoilindustry,hori-zontalwellshaveproducedat2.5to7timestherateofverti-calwells.Conventionalwaterwelldrillingequipmentcanbemodifiedtodrillinahorizontaldirection.Horizontalwaterwellshavebeenusedinaridandsemi-aridpartsoftheU.S.toaccesswaterbearingformationsfromthesideofahill.Thisinstallationmethodreducesdrillingdepthandcasinglengthwhileextendingthewellscreenlengthtoaccessalargerper-centageofgroundwater-bearingstrata.
Advantages •Canaccessasignificantlylargerwaterbearingzonethan
canbenormallyattainedwithaverticalwellborehole •Workswellinlowrainfallareas •Canbedrilledintothestreambedwithoutdisturbing
thestream •Oftenoffersashorterdrillinglengthandthusalesscostly
methodofreachingwaterbearingstratacomparedtodrillingfromthetopofthehill.
Limitations •Localwelldrillersmaybeunfamiliarwiththeprocess •Horizontalwelldrillingequipmentmaynotbereadily
available
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Watertight Casing
Drilling Start
Stream
Screened Section of Well
Horizontal well under a small, intermittent stream
Very small, shallow alluvial aquifer
Water Table
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Horizontal Well
Design ConsiderationsAlthoughhorizontalwellscanbeusedeffectivelyinanyrain-fallregion,theyhavebeenfoundtobeespeciallybeneficialinregionswhererainfallandassociatedgroundwaterrechargeareminimalandinfrequent.Someimportantfactorsforagoodhorizontalwellsiteinclude: •Geology and topography–geologicalformationswitha
fairlyshallowgroundwaterbearingzoneorstratum,withadequatesurfacespaceandterraintomoveandruntheequipment
•Alluvial sites–deepenoughwithoutmajorrockexcava-tionrequiredtoinstallgroundwatercollectiontrenches
•Location–closetoapowersourcetooperatepump-ingequipmentandawayfromdrainageditchesorotherfeatures(suchasrockoutcrops)thatcouldcauseperiodicflooding,sedimentation,fallingrockdamage,orinterfer-encewithuseofthesystem
Theareaaroundthewellfield,especiallyanexcavatedstreaminstallation,shouldbefencedtorestrictgrazinganimalsandassociatedmanurecontaminationandtopreventdamagetothewellfieldandstreambankbyhoovesandmillinganimals.Principalconsiderationsforahorizontalwellincludeawellscreenandgravelpack,apumpandcasing,andmaintenance.
Well screen and gravel pack:Thewellscreenisoneofthemostimportantcomponentsandcanbemadeofvariousmaterials,includingstainlesssteel,steel,claytile,orplasticpipe.Thegravelpackisequallyimportanttofilterincom-ingwaterandprotectthescreenandwellcasingfromplug-ging.Inlow-budgetagriculturalinstallations,perforatedhighdensitypolyethylene(HDPE)corrugatedtubingworkswellforthewellscreenandcomesinvariousstandardsizesfrom3inchto24ormoreinches.HDPEisreadyavailableforotheragriculturaluses,suchastiledrainageorlaterallines,andcomeswithafiltersock.Thefiltersockisnotrecommendedinmosthorizontalwellapplicationsbecauseofplugging.Thegravelpackshouldbemadefrompermeablematerialssuchasriverrockorcrushedlimestone.Inlocationswheretherearepluggingproblemswithwaterborneclaysandsilts,thegravelpackisdesignedandconstructedwithmultiplesizesofaggre-gatestofiltertheclayandsiltparticleswithoutpluggingthescreen.Astandard-sizedgravel-packmaterialforadirection-allydrilledsystemis3/8-inchdiameterandsmallergravel;foratrenchexcavatedsystem,1/2-inchdiametercrushedstone.Thediameterofthewellscreenandgravelpackislimitedtoamaximumofa4-inchdiameterscreenwith1-to2-inchgravelpackformosthorizontaldrillingequipment.Largersizescanbeinstalledbutthecostmaybeprohibitive.Becausethewellscreenandcasingarepulledthroughtheboreholebythedrillingequipment,thegravelpackcomespre-assembled(glued)withthescreenandisinstalledwiththescreen.
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Perforated Tile Minimum 4” Diameter
Trench with Gravel Back�llMinimum 24” Below StreamBed Bottom
TopsoilMinimum 6”
Plant Disturbed Areawith Native Grass Mix
Horizontal Well Installation – Excavation Option
Stream Channel
Submersible Pump and PipingTo Water Trough
Fence
Fence
Perforated Tile End Capor Clean out
Approx. Water Table
Perforated Tile
Well CasingTrench withGravel Back�ll
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Inanexcavated-trenchinstallation,thesizeofthewellscreencanbemuchlargerasthegravelisaddedseparately.GravelshouldbeinstalledsixinchesbelowtheflowlineoftheHDPEtubing,andaminimumof24inchesabovethetubingandbelowtheestablishedwatertable.Thesizeofthescreenandtrenchexcavation,andtheamountofgravelinstalled,canalsobeexpandedhorizontallyandverticallytocreatemoregroundwaterstoragewithinthewellfield.(See“SupplementalMaterials”sectionofthishandbook,p.135).Pump and casing:Submersiblewaterpumpsworkwellinhorizontalwells.Powerforthepumpcancomefromadedi-catedpowerline,anaturalgas/propaneorgasoline/dieselcombustionengine,solarpower,orawindmill.Thediameterofthewellcasingshouldbeseveralincheslargerthanthediameterofthepumpcasing,andapproximately1½timeslargerthanthehorizontalwellscreen.Thetopofthewellcasingshouldbecappedandelevatedatleast12inchesabovetheexistinggroundaroundthecasingtoavoidcontaminantsenteringthecasing.Thebottomofthecasingshouldbesetbelowtheinletflowlinefromthewellscreentocreateasumpforsettingthepumpwithadequatewaterdepth.Thebottomofthesumpshouldalsoallowatleast6to12inchesbelowthepumpinflowelevationtostoreaccumulatedsediments.SeveralranchsupplyandhardwarestorescarryprefabricatedwellsumpsandjunctionboxesthataredesignedforHDPEinstallations.
Maintenance:Thewellfield,pipingandscreenshouldbeperiodicallyinspectedtoensurethatpipesandscreensarenotclogged.Aclean-outcapcanbeinstalledateachendofthepipetoflushdebrisandsedimentfromthepipingandscreen.Ifaclean-outisdesired,itshouldbeinstalledwhenthetrenchisexcavatedandthescreenandpipingareinstalled.WelldrillingisregulatedbytheKansasDepartmentofHealthandEnvironment,BureauofWater,GeologySection.Wellsshouldbedrilledbyalicensedwaterwellcontractoraccordingtostatewaterwellregulations(http://www.kdheks.gov/water-well/).Somecountieshaveadditionalwelldrillingregulationsandmayrequirepermits.Statelawrequiresthatabandonedwaterwellsshouldbeplugged(http://www.kdheks.gov/water-well/download/WWC-5P.pdf).Thispracticemayrequirepermits.Pleasereadthepermitsectionofthishandbook(p.143).
Horizontal Well
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Wet Well
OverviewInmanylocations,thechanceoffindingusablewaterwhendrillingawellisunfavorable.Inthoseareas,pondsandstreamsmaybeavailabletoserveassourcesofwater.Inordertousethewatersuppliesforlivestock,itmaybedesirabletoinstallapumpingsystem.Placingwaterintakesdirectlyintothestreamcanallowthemtobedamagedorlostwhenfloodingconditionsoccur.Awetwellservesasanidealloca-tiontoinstallapumporintakeline.Awetwellallowsintakethroughawiderangeofstreamflowordepth.
Advantages •Simpleandinexpensive •Reducedbankerosion •Lesssedimentandnutrientsenteringstreamsandponds •Extendedpondorstreamusefulness •Reducethemaintenanceofapumpingsite •Extendsthelifeofapumpinstallation •Improvesthequalityofwaterpumpedtolivestock
Limitations •Specializedequipmentmaybenecessaryforinstallation •FewexamplesinKansastouseasreferences
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“T”
Water TightWet Well
Intake Line
Perforated intake pipe covered with gravel in pond or stream
Submersible Pump and Line
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Wet Well
Design ConsiderationsInordertosupplywatertolivestockawayfromthestreamorpond,itoftenisnecessarytoinstallapumpingsystem.Awetwellcanprotectthepumpfromdamagewhenwaterdepthvariesorduringfloodconditions.Thewetwellisawaterintakesystemthatallowsthestreamorpondwatertoflowfromthestreamorpondtotheartificialwell.Variousmaterialscanbeused;thechoicemostlikelywilldependuponlocalavailability.Wetwellsystemstypicallycanbeconstructedusinganexca-vatororbackhoe.Thewellisconstructedbydiggingahole,deeperthanthewatersource,atadistanceof15feetormorefromtheedge.Acasingisthenplacedinthehole.Thecor-rectcasingsizeisdeterminedbytheflowrateofthestream,thepumpingratedesired,andthetypeofpumptobeused.Insomecasesaperforatedculverttubecanbeinstalledasthecasing.Inothercases,astandard6”or8”perforatedwellcas-ingisused.Theintakemediumistheninstalledaroundthebaseandsidesofthecasing.Afterthewellcasingisinstalled,atrenchisdugbetweenthewatersourceandthewellhole.Afiltermediumorplasticpipeisinstalledinthetrenchtotransportwaterfromthesourcetothewell.Thedepthofthetrenchshouldbeequaltoorbelowthebottomofthewatersource.Coarsesandorrivergravelaredesirablefilteringmedia.AplasticorPVClineisalsoacceptable.Alargebasinaroundthewellcasingfilledwithaclean,uniformgravel-sizedmediumcanserveasareservoirforstoringwaternearthecasing.
Apitlessadapterplacedinthesideofthecasingwherethewatersystemlineleavesthewellcasingcanreducefuturemaintenanceproblems.Pitlessadaptersserveasadisconnectbetweentheverticalpumpdischargepipeandthehorizon-talpipelinegoingtothesupplylineandshouldbebelowthefrostlevel.Ifafilteringmediumisused,somereferencesrecommendusingafilterfabricbarrierbetweenthemediumandthesoillayertopreventfinesfromaccumulating,thusextendingthelifeofthemedium.Onceallthelinesandmediaareinstalled,soilcanbereplacedonthesurfaceandreshaped.Soilcanbereplacedoverandaroundthewetwell.Raisingthesoilaroundthewetwellimprovesitsfunctioning.WelldrillingisregulatedbytheKansasDepartmentofHealthandEnvironment,GeologySection.Wellsshouldbedrilledbyalicensedwaterwellcontractoraccordingtostatewaterwellregulations(http://www.kdheks.gov/water-well/).Somecountieshaveadditionalwelldrillingregula-tions.Abandonedwaterwellsshouldbeplugged(http://www.kdheks.gov/waterwell/download/WWC-5P.pdf).Thispracticemayrequirepermits.Pleasereadthepermitsectionofthishandbook(p.143).
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Drilled Well
Advantages •Aquifersupplyingawellisnotsubjecttowaterlosses,
suchasevaporationorseepage •Soilcoverprotectstheaquiferthatsuppliesawellfrom
contamination •Usuallyprovidestheshortestdistancefromawatersource
totheplaceofuse •Notsubjecttofreezing •Waterqualityisusuallyconsistent;changesareveryslow
overtime •Typicallyhasalongusefullife,especiallywhenmain-
tainedandprotectedLimitations •Duringextendeddrought,waterlevelsdropandwellyield
maydeclineorwellmaygodry •Insomeareas,groundwatermaybequitedeep,requiring
adeep,expensivewell •DrillingtoodeeplyyieldsbrackishwaterinmanyareasofKansas •NoaquiferstosupplywellsinlargeareasofEast-central
andSoutheastKansas •Testholes,poororunusedwells,orsurfaceactivitieshave
pollutedgroundwaterinsomeareas •Groundwatereasilypollutedbycarelessactionsorlackof
wellprotection •Groundwaterinaquifersisusuallymoving,sochangesin
well-waterqualitymayoccur
OverviewHistorically,wellshavebeenthewatersourceofchoiceforhomesandlivestock.Inareaswheregroundwaterisavailable,awellusuallyistheeasiestmethodtoobtainareliable,highqualitywatersource.About50percentofKansasiscoveredbyprincipalaquifersthatreliablyyieldenoughwatertosup-plyawell.Inareaswhereprincipalaquifersarenotfound,localaquifersmayprovideadequatewaterforasmallwell.
32
Soil
Aquifer formationsand, gravel
Well screenSubmersible pump
Gravel pack
Water Table
Approved �ll
Fill
Approved grout, thegreater of 20 ft. or 5 ft.into the �rst clay orshale layer
Approved sanitary sealGround slopesaway for 20 ft.
Discharge pipe
Pitless adapter
Electric conduit
Approved sanitary seal
Casing 1 ft. aboveground or high water
Ground slopesaway for 20 ft.
Electric conduitFill
Grout
33
Drilled Well
Design ConsiderationsAnimalsmayperformbetterwithgoodqualitywater.Safewaterwellsarethosethatmeettoday’slocationandconstruc-tionstandards.Wellsconstructedbefore1975rarelymeetthesestandardsandmanyaresourcesofgroundwaterpollution.KansaswelldrillersarelicensedbyKDHEandmustusewellcomponentsthatmeetstatestandards.Drilledwellsmustmeetthecriterialistedbelowtocomplywithcurrentlocationandconstructionstandards.•Thelocationshouldbeupslopeandawayfromcontamination
sources.Manywellsarepollutedbecauseofinadequatesepara-tionoralocationdownslopeofactivitiesthatdirectlyeffectit.
•Awatertightcasingextendsatleastonefootabovethegroundsurfacetopreventtheentryofsurfacewaterwithcontaminants.Sitessubjecttofloodingshouldbeatleastonefootabovethehighestfloodlevel.Thecasingmustbewatertightfromthetoptotheintakescreen,whichshouldbebelowthewatertable.Noholesarepermittedinthecas-ingexceptforanapprovedpitlessadapter,whichmustbesealedtothecasing.
•Anapprovedgroutsealsthecasingtotheboreholefromthesurfaceto5feetintothefirstclayorshaleconfininglayeror20feetbelowsurface,whicheverisgreater.Thegroutalsomustbeplacedadjacenttoallconfininglayerstoseparatewater-bearinglayers.Approvedgroutincludesbentoniteclay,neatcementandcement-waterslurry.
•Anapprovedpitlessadapterisusedtopreventfreezingunlessapumphouseisused.Theadapterenablesawater-
tightconnectionthroughthecasingbelowfrostlevel.Anapprovedpitlessunitalsomaybeusedtoreplacethetopportionofthecasing.Thepitlessunitattachmenttothecasingiswatertight.Theunitalsohasaconnectiontothewaterlinebelowfrostlevel.
•Anapprovedsanitarysealmustcaporplugthetopofthecasingtoprevententryofcontaminants.Thissealmustbesecurelyattachedtothewellcasingsoitistightandpre-ventstheentryofwaterandinsects.Ascreenedventonthesealallowsairtoentersothecasingdoesnotcollapseandpreventstheentryofinsectsanddebris.
•Slopethegroundsurfaceawayfromthewelltopreventwaterpondingwithin50feet.Theslopeshouldbeatleast6incheswithinthefirst20feetfromthewelltoassurepositivedrainage.
Maintenanceisessentialtoassurethatthewellcontinuestomeetalllocationandconstructionstandards.ComponentsshouldbecheckedatleastyearlyusingguidelinesinPri-vate Well Maintenance and Protection, MF-2396(aK-StateResearchandExtensionServicepublication).ThewellshouldbecleanedanddisinfectedbyshockchlorinationfollowingtheprocedureinShock Chlorination for Private Water Systems, MF-911.Awatertestaftermaintenanceisrecommendedtoassurethatnocontaminationisenteringthewell.Finally,manywellshavebeenpollutedbycarelessandthoughtlessactions.Thisisbestpreventedbyafencedexclu-sionzonewherenocontaminantsareallowed.Outsidetheexclusionzone,amanagementzoneshouldprovideadditionalprotectionifcontaminantsareallowedhere.
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35
WelldrillingisregulatedbytheKansasDepartmentofHealthandEnvironment,BureauofWater,GeologySection.Wellsshouldbedrilledbyalicensedwaterwellcontractoraccordingtostatewaterwellregulations(http://www.kdheks.gov/waterwell/).Somecountieshaveadditionalwelldrillingregulationsandmayrequirepermits.Statelawrequiresthatabandonedwaterwellsshouldbeplugged(http://www.kdheks.gov/waterwell/download/WWC-5P.pdf).Thispracticemayrequirepermits.Pleasereadthepermitsectionofthishandbook(p.143).
Drilled Well
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37
Water Harvesting
IntroductionWaterguzzlersarepassive,artificialstormwatercollectionandwateringdevicesthathavebeendevelopedforaridandsemi-aridpartsofthewestwherewatercanbealimitingfactorindevelopmentofwildlifehabitat.Originally,theywerereferredtoas“gallinaceousguzzlers”forGalliformes,theorderofbirdsthatincludesquail,grouse,turkey,andpheasants.“Guzzle”referstothesoundmadebythebirdswhentheydrinkfromapoolofwater.Guzzlersalsoprovidewatertoothercrea-turesthatrequiresurfacewaterforsurvival,includingmanyamphibiansandmammalsandsomereptilesandinverte-brates.Waterguzzlersarebeneficialtolivestockwhentheyarelargeenoughtoprovideadequatewatersuppliesforlargeranimals(suchascattle)orduringshort-termuseofextremelyaridrangelands.Waterharvestingsystemsplacedonslopinggroundthatcol-lectrunoffwaterforstorageandtransfertoawateringpointhavebeenusedinaridrangelandareas.
Advantages •Usefulinareaswherenaturalwatersourcesarescarce •Canbemadeofinexpensiveorrecycledmaterials •Easilyinstalled •Minimalsitepreparation •Canbelocatedinextremelyremoteareaswhereother
watersourcesareimpractical •Minimalupkeepexpenseandlabor
Limitations •Waterquantityisdependentuponrainfall •Mostusefulforsmallnumbersoflivestock
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39
Water Harvesting
Design ConsiderationsAlthoughwaterguzzlerscanbeeffectivelyusedinanyrain-fallregion,theyhavebeenfoundtobeespeciallybeneficialinregionswhererainfallisminimalandinfrequent.ManyfederalagenciesandwildlifeorganizationshaveestablishedwildlifewateringprogramsinaridstatessuchasNevada,Utah,Colorado,Arizona,Texas,andNewMexico.Someoftheimportantfactorsforagoodguzzlersiteinclude:
•Sitewithlittletopographicalrelief,slopeof1percentorgreater,andadequateexpanseoffairlyflatsurfaceareatocollectausableamountofwater
•Adequatesoildepthtoburythewaterstoragetankandprovideanaccessramporport
•Locationawayfromdrainageditchesorotherfeatures,suchasrockoutcrops,thatcouldcauseperiodicflooding,sedimentation,fallingrockdamage,orinterferencewithuseofthesystem.
Theprincipalelementsofaguzzlersystemincludetherain-water/snowcollectionsurfaceorapron,awaterstoragetank,ananimalaccessramporport,awatercontrolorificeorvalve,fencing,andmaintenance.Rainwater/Snow Collection Surface or Apron: Thecollec-tionsurface(apron)ismadeofimpervioussurfacingmateri-alssuchascorrugatedmetalsheeting,UVprotectedplasticsheeting,fiberglasssheeting,asphaltpaving,oranyother
suitablematerialthatiseconomicaltobuyandinstall.Apronscanbeconstructedonthegroundsurfaceorelevatedwithasupportstructure.Supportstructuresnormallyrequiremorethoughtconcerningloadingfactorstoproperlysizethesup-portbeams,columns,etc.Groundconstructionisnormallylessexpensivethanconstructingsupports.However,sitecon-ditions(suchasarockysurface)mayrequirethattheapronbeelevatedwithsupports.Ifthewateringfacilityislocatednexttoanexistingbuildingwithappropriateroofingmaterial,thentheroofwouldprovideanopportunitytocollecttherainwaterorsnowmeltthroughagutter/downspoutsystemsimilartoacistern.However,mostwateringfacilitiesarelocatedlongdistancesfrombuildingsandelectricity,andtherefore,thetypicalwaterguzzlerisnormallyconsideredtobeastandalonewateringfacility.Thelocationandsizeoftheapronisafunctionoftheexist-ingtopography,soiltype,anddesiredamountofwatertobecapturedateachguzzler.Normally,theratioofdrainageareatostoragevolumeisafunctionoftheannualrainfallandsnowfortheregion.ThisinformationcanbefoundthroughthelocalNRCSofficeorpublishedsoilsurveyreport.Wateryieldcangenerallybeestimatedas1ft2ofapron/gallonofwater/1.6inchofrain(lessforsnow).
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41
Typical water yields per square foot would be:Apron size Annual Water Yield (gal.) 20’x20’ 4,80040’ft.x40’ 19,200100’x100’ 120,0001acre 520,000
Forexample,aguzzlerlocatedinanareawith20inchesofaverageannualprecipitationwouldhaveanexpectedyieldofapproximately12gallonsofwater/ft2ofapronarea.Runoffestimatesarereducedby5percenttoreflectevaporationandsmallaprontransmissionlosses.Water storage tank:Thesizeofthewaterstoragetankisafunctionoftwoimportantfactors.Thosearetheamountofwaterneeded(gallonsofwaterperheadpermonth)andtheamountofwaterbeingdelivered(averagerainfallpermonth).Anadditionalone-monthsupplyisnormallyrequiredasasafetyfactorforperiodsofnorainorrunoff.Storagetanksizestypicallyrangefrom200to5,000gallons.Thewaterstoragetankisnormallyburiedbutcanbeabovegroundorpartiallyelevatedwheretheaproniseitherlocatedatahigherelevationorelevatedbygroundsupportsabovethelevelofthetank.Below-groundtanksshouldbeconstructedofcorrosionresistantmaterialssuchasplastic,fiberglass,orcathodicallyprotectedmetal.Above-groundtanksarecon-structedofUVprotectedplastic,galvanizedmetalorsimilarweatherresistantmaterials.Below-groundinstallationsareusuallypreferredbecausetheyprovideinsulationbysoilandeasyaccessforanimals.Coveringtanksreducesevaporation
lossesandpreventsforeignmattersuchasdirt,leaves,andbirddroppingsfromcontaminatingthewater.Animal access ramp or port:Dependingonthefinaleleva-tionofthetank,anopeningandrampshouldbeprovidedtoallowanimalsadequateroomandsecurefootingwhiledrink-ing.Ifarampisconstructed,itshouldbenosteeperthan190degreesora3:1slope.Gentlerslopesarepreferredifthesiteallows(intheabsenceofshallowrock).Therampwidthisnormallyafunctionofthenumberofanimalsthatneedaccessatonewateringevent.Anaccessportof4or5feetwillaccommodatethreeorfourcattle.Wideropeningsarenotrecommendedbecauseincreasedwatersurfaceareaincreasesevaporationlossesandcontaminationbydustanddebris.Therampsurfaceandsubgradeshouldbeconstructedofmaterialssimilartothoseusedaroundwatertroughsandwateringstructures.Theentrancetothewateringportshouldbeslightlyelevatedwithanearth-grassedberm.Thishelpskeepsurfacestormwatercontaminatedwithsedimentandanimaldroppingsfrombeingwashedintothedrinkingwater.Water control orifice or valve:Aorifice,pipe,and/orvalvefromthestoragetanktoaseparatedrinkingdeviceispre-ferredwhenlargenumbersofanimalsneedwater.Ifpowerisavailableatthesite,awaterpumpcanbeusedtomovewaterintotroughsorotherdrinkingdevices.Otherwise,gravity-flowsystemsmustbeused.
Water Harvesting
42
43
Fencing:Theareaaroundtheapronandstoragetankshouldbefencedtorestrictgrazinganimalsandassociatedproblemsofcontaminationbydroppingsanddamagetotheapronandtanksystembyhoovesandmillinganimals.Maintenance:Theapronandrampareasshouldbecleanedofdebris,animaldroppings,andotherwaterpollutantsquar-terlyandmorefrequentlyiftheareasarenotfenced.Tank,piping,valves,andotherstructuresshouldbeperiodicallycheckedtoensurethattheyarefunctioningcorrectly.Waterstoragelevelsshouldbecheckedtomakesurethereisanadequatesupplyforlivestock.
Water Harvesting
44
45
OverviewPeoplewholiveintownmostcommonlyreceivewaterfromapublicwatersystem.Ruralwaterdistricts,atypeofpublicwatersupply,deliverwatertoruralareasandmanysmallcom-munities.Kansasisanationalleaderinthenumberofruralwaterdistrictswithalonghistoryofsolvingwatersupplyneedsinruralareas.Ruralwaterdistrictsaregenerallyareli-ablesourceofwaterthatmeetsU.S.EPAsafedrinkingwaterstandards.Thissectionaddressesruralwaterdistrictsasasourceforlivestockwater.
Rural Water District (Public Supply)
Advantages •Generallyreliablewithfewinterruptionsoroutages •Producersneednotbeconcernedaboutpoweroutages
andequipmentfailure •Wateristreatedandmeetspublicwatersupplystandards
–ahigherstandardthangenerallyneededforlivestock •DistrictsareconcentratedincentralandeasternKansas,
whereprincipalgroundwateraquifersareabsentorwaterqualityispoor
•Waterisdeliveredunderpressurethatshouldsatisfymostneeds
Limitations •Waterlinestypicallyrunalongroadswheremorepeople
live,sodistrictwaterisnotavailableinalllocations •Ifalineisnotadjacenttothepropertywherewater
isneeded,theremaybeacosttoextendtheline •Longlinemayberequiredonpropertytodeliverwater fromthemetertothepointsofuse •Buildingandoperatingaruralwatersystemwithlong
supplylinesisexpensive,oftenmakingcostofruralwaterhigherthanproducerswanttopayforlivestockwater
•Existingruralwaterlinemaynothavecapacitytoaddanotheruser
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47
Rural Water District (Public Supply)
Design ConsiderationsThereareseveralthingstoconsiderduringthetypicalpro-cessofobtainingandpayingforaconnectiontoaruralwaterdistrictsupply.Application for connection and fee:Ruralwaterdistrictstypicallyrequireanapplicationandhaveaconnectionfee.Thisfeeisusuallymodestwhenthedistrictisintheplanningstages.Oncethewaterlineshavebeenlaidtheconnectioncostincreasesbecausetheexpensestoinstallthesystemhavealreadybeenpaidandfinanced.Extension of the water line:Mostwaterdistrictsdonotaggressivelyseektoexpandtheirsystems.Themainreasonforthisisrelatedtofinances.Intheplanningstage,itisrela-tivelyeasytoaddadditionallinestoserveotherusersandthecostiscoveredbygrantsandlowinterestloanssharedbyall.However,oncethesystemhasbeenbuilt,itisoftennotfea-sibletoseekgrantstooffsetanextensiontoserveafewusers.Typicallythedistrictisnotwillingtoincurcoststoexpandbecausethatwouldincreasethecostforexistingusers.Thusanewuserusuallymustpaythetotalcostforanyneededexten-sionofawaterline.Dependingondistanceandconditionsthismaybesubstantial.
Minimum monthly cost:Thedistrictsetsaminimummonthlycostforwhichtheuserissuppliedaspecificquantityofwater.Sometimeslivestockwaterneedsareonlyseasonal,butthemonthlycostmustbepaidevenwhenthewaterisnotneeded.Theamountofwaterdeliveredhaslittleeffectonthedistrict’smonthlyexpenses.Cost for excess water use:Thedistricthasachargeforwaterusedinexcessoftheminimum.Thiscosttakesintoconsid-erationthecostofenergytosupplytheextrawaterandusu-allyalsoanincentivefortheusertoconservewateraswell.Ifuserscouldpurchaseextrawaterforjustthecostoftheextraenergy,theywouldtendtoincreasetheiruseandexceedthecapacityofthesystemtodeliverwater.
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49
Hauled Water
OverviewInsomesituationshaulingwatermaybemoreeconomicalorfeasiblethantryingtodevelopapermanentsupplyforlivestockdrinkingwater.Situationswherepermanentwatersystemsareimpracticalcanincludewateringaverysmallherd,asitethathasaninsufficientornonexistentwatersource,andasitewherepowerisexpensive.Haulingwaterallowsuseoftemporaryoroccasionalsourcesofforage,suchascropresidues.
Advantages •Verymobile;watercanbesuppliedtoanylocationthat
canbeaccessedbythehaulingvehicle •Canreadilysupplytanksmovedtonewlocations •Cansupplymultiplesites •Numerousauxiliaryandtemporarytanklocationscanimprove
grazingdistributionandresultinfewerlivestocktrails •Canbeusedwhereinstallingapowersource
ordevelopingawatersourceiscost-prohibitive •Allowsshort-termgrazingoftemporaryforagesupplies,
suchascropresidueLimitations •Bothahaulingtankandavehicleareneeded •Muddyorsnowyconditionscancomplicateoreven
prohibitwaterdelivery •Pergallonofwaterdelivered,haulingwaterislabor
intensivecomparedwithmanyotherwatersources,andthusmaybeexpensive
•Timeconsumingasoperatormustwaitfortanktofillandunloadinadditiontohaulingtime;purchasingwatermayreducefilltimeandthustotalexpense
•Motorfuelcostsdirectlyaffectthecostofhaulingwater •Mayneedtoconstructaccessroads •Haulingmayberequireddailyorevenmultipletimes
adayinsomecases
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51
Hauled Water
Design ConsiderationsThecostofhaulingwaterisestimatedtobe$1.00permiletraveledfora1,000-gallonload,notincludingthevehiclecost.Awaterhaulingtankshouldbecompletelyenclosedsowaterdoesn’tsplashoutontheroad.Thetankcanbeincorporatedintothevehicle,suchasarecycledmilktruck.Atankcanbeplacedinthebackofapickuportruckandremovedwhenthevehicleisneededforotherpurposes.Tankscanbeplacedontrailers,orexistingtanktrailers(suchasthosewitholdanhy-droustanks)canbeadaptedforhaulingwater.
Thetankwillneedtobemanuallyhookeduptoanddiscon-nectedfromawatersupply.Insomeinstances,afloatcanbeinstalledtoshutoffthewatersupplywhenthetankisfull,preventingoverflows.Insomeruraltowns,waterisavailablefromthepublicwatersupply.Thisisafast,reliablewaytofillwaterhaulingtanks.Waterwillcostabout$0.50perthousandgallons.Waterhaulingtanksneedtobefittedwithshut-offvalvesandhosestoreachthetankwherelivestockwillwater.Insomecasespumpingmayberequiredorbeneficial.
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Power Sources, Pumps, Pipelines and Storage Tanks Comparison Chart
Solar Power
Pumps
Wind Powered Air Pressure System
Windmill
Animal Activated Pumping System
Water Powered Pump
Pipeline Network from Off-Site Source
Water Storage Tank
Longusefullife;lowoperationcostsandminimalmaintenance
Initialcostisrelativelyhigh
Modestinitialcostandafairlylonglife
Susceptibletointerruptionsofthepowersource(electricity,fuel,wind)
Thetechnologyissimpleandeasytounderstand,use,andmaintain;systemcomponentsaremoderatelypriced,longlived,andlowmaintenance
Windtendstobeintermittent;waterstorageisimportant
Usesanabundantfreeenergysource;wellsuitedtositeswhereelectricityisunavailable;hasalonglife(20+years)
Dependentonsteadysourceofwind;waterstorageimportant
New6’windmillheadcosts$1,800
Usuallylessthan$500Simple,ruggedandportable;adaptabletoponds,streams,orshallowwells;inexpensive
Aunitcanprovidewaterforonlyabout25cattle;pumpdrawswateronlyabout20feetverticallyor200feethorizontally
Relativelyeconomicaltopurchaseandinstall;noadditionalinputenergyrequired;relativelytrouble-freeoperation
Requiresayeararoundsurfaceflowtopowerthepump;operationinwintermaybeproblematic
RAMpumpcostsfrom$200(homemade)to$2,000
$450-$3,500,dependingonliftandvolume
$2,000+foracompletesystem,including2solarpanels
$700-$800forasubmersiblepump
Typicallyrequiresonlyonewatersourceandpumptosupplyseveraloutlets
Watersourcemustbeextensiveenoughtohandlemultiplewaterers;professionallydesigned
Wellsuitedtoasystemthathasasteadylowflowthatisadequatetomeetdailydemandbutnotadequatetomeetpeakflowrequirements;veryreliableandrequireslittlemaintenance
Terrainmaybeunsuitedforanelevatedtankthatgravityfeedswaterers
Source Estimated CostPrimary Disadvantage(s)Primary Advantage(s)
3,000gallonpolytank$1,500;5,000gallontank$3,500plussitepreparation;maybeabletouserecycledtank
$1+perfootdependingonsizeandavailabilityofequipment
53
Power Sources, Pumps, Pipelines and Storage Tanks
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55
Solar Power
OverviewSolarpumpingsystemsprovidedependable,low-mainte-nancewateringsystemsinremotelocationswhereotherpowersourcesareunreliableorunavailable.Thecostofasolarpumpingsystemisusuallylessthanpurchasingandinstallingawindmill.Solarpumpingsystemscanbeusedforbothwellsandsurfacewatersources(pondsandstreams).
Advantages •Canefficientlypumpwatertoahigherelevation •Canbeusedtopumpwatertoastoragelocationwhich
cansupplymultipleoutlets •Allowsrelocationofthewatersupplytoreducedirect
streamandpondaccessbylivestock •Livestockoftenprefertodrinkfromatrough •Canreplacewindmills •Long,usefullife •Lowoperationcostsandminimalmaintenance •Producercaninstall •PumpeasilyreplacedandcanberepairedLimitations •Relativelyhighinitialcost •Producerwillneedavoltmeterandknowhowtouseit •Typicallycomponentsareonlyavailablefromspecialty
supplysources •Lightningmaydamagethepump
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Solar Power
57
Solar Power
Design ConsiderationsSolarwaterpumpingistheprocessofpumpingwaterwiththeuseofpowergeneratedbysunlight.Solarpumpingsys-temsarereliablestand-alonesystemsthatrequirenofuelandverylittleattention.Sunshineworkswellasapowersourceforlivestockwateringbecausethedaysandtimeswiththegreatestsolarenergyarethedaysandtimesthatlivestockhavethegreatestwaterdemands.Thefivebasicpartsofasolarwateringsystemareapanel,asuntracker,acontroller,apump,andastoragecisternortank.Apanelconvertsthesolarenergyintoelectricalenergy.Thesizeofthepanelmustmatchthepowerneededbythepumps.Highlift(deepwells)andhighratesofflowincreasethepowerneeds.Ingeneral,eachinstalledwattofpowerwillcostabout$5.00.Asanexample,asystemtopump3gal/minutewith50feetofhead(pressure)usestwo55-wattpanelsthatcostabout$250each.Panelshavealonglifeandmanyhavea25-yearwar-ranty.Asun trackerallowsthepanelstofollowthesun,increas-ingsolarpanelefficiency.Somesystemsusepassivetracking,whichtakesnopowerfromthepanelelectricalsystem.Thesuntrackerallowsthesystemtopumpanestimated30-40percentmorewaterduringthesummer.Onetrackercomeswitha10-yearwarranty.Acontrollerconvertsthevariableenergyfromthesolarpaneltoaconstantvoltageforthepump.Thecontrollerincludesapumpspeedcontrolcircuit,atanklevelswitchcircuit,alow
watercut-offcircuit(sothepumpdoesnotcontinuetoruninadrywell),anelectroniccircuitbreakerandindicatorlights.Controllersmustbesizedforthevoltageandamperageneedsofthepump.Apumpdoestheactualpumpingofthewaterusingthedirectcurrentproducedbythepanel.Manyarediaphragmpumpsthatworkonapositivedisplacementprocess.Thesehavethecapacitytopumpwatertogreaterheight(higherhead)withmorepowerbutwithoutmuchdecreaseinvolume.Astorage cistern or tankisoptionalbuthasseveraladvan-tages.Theyarelessexpensive,moretrouble-freeandmoreefficientthanstoringpowerinbatteriesforpumpingduringcloudyweather.Sincewaterisalwaysacriticalissue,thetankshouldbeabletostoreaminimumthree-tosix-daysupplyofwater,orwhateveryouthinkyourneedsmaybeduringcloudyweatherorduringasystemfailure.Back-upbatteriesmayseemlikeagoodideaduringperiodsofcloudyweather,buttheyhaveseverallimitations.Batteriesaddcosttothesystem,reducetheefficiencyoftheoverallsys-tem,andcanbecomeanothersourceofproblemsandmain-tenanceneeds.Storingwaterinsteadofpowerprovidesbetterperformanceandreliability.Completecomponentcosts(2004)forasystemthathastheabilitytopump3gal/minat50feetofheadwere$2,161andincludedtwopanels,asuntracker,acontrollerandadirectcurrentpump.
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59
Pump
OverviewPumpsarethemostcommonandleastexpensivewaytolift,move,andpressurizewater.Theyarecommonlyusedtoliftwaterfromawellorcisterntoastoragetankatahigherele-vationortopressurizethewatersystemtodeliveritthroughapipelinetotheplaceofuse.Pumpsarealsousedtopressurizeormoveotherfluidorsemi-fluidmaterials.Thissectionsheetcoverspumpsusedforwateronly.Itisnotintendedtoprovideinformationaboutpumpuseforanyotherfluid.
Advantages •Modestinitialcostandafairlylonglife •Pumpsusedforcleanwaterrequirelittlemaintenance
exceptpistonorreciprocatingpumps •Simpleandeasyfortheusertounderstand •Usertypicallycanreplaceasmallpumpatthesurface
withavailabletools •Easilypoweredbyanelectricmotorbutcanalsobe engine-powered. •Availableinwidesizerangefromseveralmanufacturers •Electricallypoweredpumpsareeasytoautomateeven
fromaremotesiteLimitations •Shouldbeselectedfortheintendedapplication(flowand
pressure) •Apumpnotmatchedtoitsapplicationmaybeinefficient
ormaynotworkatall •Engine-poweredpumpsmustbecheckeddaily •Controllerspecifictotheapplicationisusedtooperatean
electric-poweredpump •Apumpinawellrequirespullingthepipeandpump
forservice;mayrequirespecialequipment
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Electric Motor
AirPump
Discharge
Pump Rod
Drop Pipe
Plunger
Cylinder
SealCheck ValveCylinderLeathers
PlungerPlunger Valve
Sucker RodCasing
Drop Pipe
Reciprocating or Piston Pump
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Pump
Design ConsiderationsPumpsareusedtoliftwaterandaddpressurefortheintendeduse.Thetwobroadclassesofwaterpumpsincludecentrifugal(orturbine)andpositivedisplacement.Eachtypehasspecificpropertieswhichmakeitbestsuitedforaspe-cificsetofconditions.Thefollowingdescriptionssummarizepropertiesofthemostcommonpumpsusedforwater.Centrifugal pump:Thispumphasalargeimpeller,souseinmostwellsisnotpractical.Centrifugalpumpsarecommonlyusedtomoveorpressurizebothcleanwaterandwastewater.Ifthewellisshallow(lessthan24feettowater),acentrifu-galpumpmaybeusedatthesurface.Designsthatproducehighheadsarereadilyavailable.Thispumpissimple,oper-atessmoothly,isveryefficient,andhasalonglife.Whenthepumplocationrequiresasuctionlinetoliftwatertotheintake,acheckvalveisessentialtokeeptheintakelinefullofwaterandavoidprimingitwitheachuse.Diaphragm pump:Thispositivedisplacementpumpisquitesimpleindesign.Anoff-centerknoborcamonthedriveshaftmovesthediaphragmbackandforthandproducesapulsatingdischarge.Acheckvalveontheintakesideallowswatertoenterbutnotflowbackandasecondcheckvalveontheoutletsideallowswatertoexitbutnotreenterthecavity.Thispumpisoftenusedforsolarpoweredwatersystems.Jet and deep well jet pump:Thispumphashistoricallybeenthemostcommonforshallowwellsespeciallysandpointwellswithwaterdepthsuptoabout25feet.Itnormallycon-sistsofacentrifugalpumpandajetassemblytocreatealowpressurezonethatliftswaterfromthewell.Whenthejetis
placeddowninthewell,thepumpcanbeusedforhigherliftsapproaching100feet.Thehigherthelifttothepumpintakethemorewaterisrequiredthroughthejet,whichmeanslesswaterisavailablefordischarge.Thispumpisnotasefficientasothertypes,butusuallythisisnotabigconcernforinter-mittentuseoflivestockwater.Amajoradvantageisthatallmovingpartsofthesystemareatthesurfaceandareeasilyaccessible.However,thisalsomeansthattheywillfreeze,soapumphouseisthepreferredmeansofprotection.Piston or reciprocating pump: Thisisthemostcommonpumpusedforwindmillsandoperatessimilarlytothedia-phragmpump.Apistonorplungermovesupanddownandcheckvalvesareusedontheintakeandplunger.Thistypeofpumphasapulsatingdischarge.Itiseasilyadaptedtohandorpoweredoperation.Adisadvantageofthispumpiswearandmaintenanceofthemovingparts.Thoughcommonlyusedformostfarmsteadspriortoelectricity,ithasnowbeenreplacedbyothertypesthathavecontinuousflowandarebettersuitedtoelectricalpower.Inremotelocations,suchaspastureswhereelectricityisnotavailable,thispumpisstillused,typi-callypoweredbyamechanicalwindmill.Thispumpcanbeusedforveryhighlifts.Submersible turbine pump:Thispumpisthemostcommoninusetodayforsmallwaterwells.Thepumphassmallimpel-lerstoeasilyfitinsidethewellcasingsoeachimpellerhaslimitedpressurecapacity.Thisisovercomebyusingmultiplestages(impellers)inseriesonacommonshafttodeveloptheheadrequired.Thistypeofpumpisefficient,hasalowoper-atingcost,andhasalonglife.Designsareavailableforavery
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63
widerangeofflowandpressureconditions.Themotorisatthebottom,theimpellersanddischargeatthetop,andtheintakeisbetweenthemotorandtheimpellers.Waterproofwiresdeliverelectricitytopowerthemotor.Maintenance of pumps:Allpumpsarelikeothermechanicaldevicesandeventuallyneedmaintenance,repair,orreplace-ment.Allexceptthejetpumprequirepullingthepumpoutofthewelltoreplaceitortodomaintenance.Thisislaborintensiveandmayrequirewelldriller’sequipment.
Pump
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65
Wind-Powered Air Pressure System
OverviewThistypeofwindmillconvertswindenergyintoairpressureusinganairpump.Compressedaircanbeconveyedeasilytothepointofusetopoweranair-liftpump,pondaeratororotherdevice.Atraditionalwindmillconvertswindenergytomechani-calpowertooperateatraditionalcylinderpump.Awindmillair-liftpumpconvertswindenergytoairpressure,whichthenpowersaverysimplepump.Windmillair-liftpumpsareaverysimplewaytoconvertwindenergyintoaformthatcanbeusedtopumpwater.
Advantages •Thetechnologyissimpleandeasytounderstand,use,
andmaintain •Canbelocatedatanoptimalsiteforwindconditionsup
toaquarter-milefromtheair-liftpump •Compressedaircaneasilybepipedtothepump •Thewindmillrotorwheelandairpumparerelatively
trouble-freepiecesofequipment •Systemcomponentsaremoderateincost,havealonglife,
andrequirelittlemaintenance •Compressedaircanbeusedtopumpwater,aerateapond,
circulatewaterinapond,andotheruses •Windvelocitiesareusuallystrongerduringthedaytime
hours,closelymatchinglivestockwaterneedsLimitations •Pumpintakemustbeplaceddeepintothewellorwater
source •Inadequatewindatsomesites •Intermittentwindsmaymeanalargestoragetankis
neededforadequatewatersupplyduringstilldaysorwhenwindisinadequatetopowerthepump
•Anair-liftpumprequireshigherairpressuretoachievegreaterlifts
•Fewsourcesofcomponents;mostlyprovidedbysmallcompanieswhichmaychangeownershiporgooutofbusiness
66
TailCompressor
Air hose
Blades
Well
Other Use for Compressed Air(Pond Aeration/Circulation, etc.)
Air Release
3 in.PVCPipe
3 in.PVCPipe
Air Inlet
FloatChamber
Water Outlet3/4 in.
1 1/4 in. pipe
Inlet screen
Swingcheckvalve1 1/4 in.
6 1/4 in.
53 in.
5 3/4”
73 in.
67
Wind-Powered Air Pressure System
Design ConsiderationsWind-poweredairpumpsforpumpingwaterrequirearotor,aircompressor,airline,andair-liftpump.Windmill rotor (turbine):Aturningshaftisthemajorcomponentthatharnessesthewindenergyandimmediatelyconvertsittomechanicalenergy.Ahorizontalaxisdragordrag/liftrotoristhetypicaltypeused.Thepoweroutputoftheturningshaftdependsonthesizeofthewheel,therotordesign,andtherotationspeed.Therotationalspeeddependsnotonlyonthewindvelocitybutalsoonthetypeofrotorandrotordesign.Knowledgeofthewindatthesiteandthepowerneedsisessentialtocorrectlysizetherotor.Air compressor:Thiscomponentispoweredbytherotatingshaftdirectlyconnectedtothewindmillrotor.Theairpumpshouldefficientlyconvertthepoweroftherotatingshafttocompressedair.Apistonpumpistypicallyusedforthisappli-cation,butdiaphragmpumpsarealsoused.Thesizeofthepumpdependsonthevolumeandpressureneededfortheintendeduse.Thecompressorpumpmustbesizedtomeettheneedsoftheair-liftwaterpumporotheruses,aswellastomatchthepowerproducedbythewindmillrotor.Air line:Thiscomponentconnectstheaircompressortotheair-liftpump.Thepipecanbeuptoaquarter-milelong,butshorterisbetter.Toavoidexcessivefrictionloss,thepipesizemayhavetobeincreasedwithlongerseparationdistancesfromthecompressortotheair-liftpump.
Air-lift pump:Therearedifferenttypesofair-poweredpumps.Thesimplesttypeconsistsofanairtubeandthepumptube.Theairtubeistypicallyontheoutsideofthepumptubewithanengineeredairinjectorparthighintheinteriorofthepumptube.Ithasnomovingparts,isverysimple,andcanbeusedtopumpabrasivematerialswithoutdamagingthepump.Therisingairliftsthewaterandcreatesthepumpaction.Thispumpmustbesizedfortheapplica-tion,capacitytodeliverwater,andwelldepth.Thepumptubemustextenddeepintothewater–70percentoftheliftheightforshallowwellsanddownto40percentoftheliftheightforwells300ormorefeetdeep.Neitherthepumpnoranyofthecomponentsisdamagedbyrunningdry.Otherpumptypesuseafewvalvesormovingpartstocausetheairpressuretodisplaceorforcethewateroutofacham-ber.Thevalvethenopenstoreleasetheairandallowwatertoenter.Anothertypeusesplungerstotransferthepressureofthecompressedairtothewaterinalternatingsequences.
68
69
Windmill
Windmillsareanenergy-efficientsourceofpowerforpump-ingwater.WindmillshavebeenapartofwatersupplysystemsinKansasformorethanacentury.Theyarestillincommonuseinthegrasslandareasofthestate.Themostimportantapplicationofwindmillsinremoteareashasbeenformechanicalpowertopumpwater.ThesesystemswereperfectedintheUnitedStatesduringthe19thcentury,beginningwiththeHalladaywindmillin1854andcontinu-ingtotheAermotorandDempsterdesignswhicharestillusedtoday.
Advantages •Usesanabundantfreeenergysource •Wellsuitedtositeswhereelectricityisunavailable •Hasalonglife(morethan20years) •Maintenancerequirementsarelowtech •Verysimplemechanicallyandeasytorepair •GoodchoiceinKansas,wherewindisareliableenergy
sourceLimitations •Dependentonsteadysourceofwind •Mayneedalargewaterstoragetankinlocationswithless
reliablewindsupply •Windmillheadsareafavoritetargetforsmallarmsfire •Maintenancemustbedonewhileatopthewindmilltower •Needspecialequipmentorcontractortoinstall
thewindmillhead •Highinitialcost •Subjecttodamagebystrongwindsassociatedwithsevere
stormsandtornadoes
70
Casing
Pump CylinderScreen
Packer HeadDischarge Pipe
Stock Tank
Water Level
Pump RodSwivel
Tail
Gear Box
Multi-BladeRotor
Tower
Pump Rod
Well Seal
Tower Footing
Drop Pipe
71
Windmill
Design ConsiderationsTheterm“windmill”isfrequentlyusedtocollectivelyrefertothewindmillheadandthetowerthatsupportsthehead.Thesizeofthewindmillheadshouldbeselectedbasedonthedepthofthewellandthesizeofthepump.A6-footheadwillpumpwaterfroma60-footwellatalowrate;an8-footheadwillpumpwaterfroman150-footwellatalowrateorashal-lowerwellwithalargerpumpatahigherrate.Watercanbeextractedfromdepthsupto800feetwithwindmills.Deeperwellsrequirelargerheads(upto20feetindiameter).Thewindmillheadswivelsorrotatestofaceintothewind.Windmillsshouldbesitedatleast75feetawayfromtreesandbuildings,whichcanalterwindcurrents,resultingindamagetowindmillheads.Treesandbuildingsalsocanslowwind,reducingtheforceavailabletoconverttoenergy.Inmostcasesahoistwillbenecessarytoinstallawindmillheadanditcanalsobeusedtoraisethetower.Theheadisawkwardtohandlebecauseofitssizeandweight.Atypicalcostforanew6-footwindmillheadisabout$1,800.Averylargehead(20-foot)cancostasmuchas$20,000.Arebuilt6-footwindmillheadcostsabout$300.Towerscanbecustombuiltorpurchasednew,butinareaswherewindmillsarecommon,mostheadsareinstalledonexistingorrelocatedtowers.
Maintenance ConsiderationsTowerstypicallyhaveladdersattachedtothesideandasmallplatformatthetoptofacilitateroutinemaintenance.How-ever,maintenanceonawindmillheadisdangerous,especiallywhenthewindisblowingwhichmaybemuchofthetimeforsomelocationsandseasons.Beforeyouchooseawindmill,carefullyevaluatethecostofservice.Oillevelsinwindmillheadgearboxesshouldbecheckedtwiceayearandchangedwhenoilbecomesdirty.Insufficientoilwillresultinrapidwearandfailureofgears.Fanbladesandboltsshouldbecheckedatthesametimeastheoilandreplacedasnecessary.Whenlargerrepairsareneeded,windmillscanusuallyberepairedquickly(withinafewhours)byprofessionalser-viceproviderssothatlivestockaren’tstrandedwithoutwater.Considerwheretheserviceproviderislocatedandthecostoftraveltothewindmillsite.Highqualitypumpleathersshouldlastatleast5years.Sandinthewatergreatlyincreasesthewearonthepumpandwillseverelyshortenthelifeoftheleathers.Sources:AmericanWindPowerCenterandMuseum,Lubbock,TX(http://www.windmill.com)DavidEvelWindmillService,Ransom,Kansas
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73
Animal-Activated Pumping System
OverviewVariousdeviceshavebeeninventedthatdependonlivestocklearningto“pump”waterfromapondorstreamintoadrink-ingbowlortrough.Nosepumpsandfootpumpsarethemostcommonofanimal-poweredpumps.Whilesimpleandinex-pensive,theyarebestadaptedtonon-freezingconditionsandmovingwatershortdistances.
Advantages•Simple,ruggedandportable•Animalpowered;noelectricityorsolarpanelsneeded•Adaptabletoponds,streamsorshallowwells•Inexpensive(usuallylessthan$500)•LivestocklearntousenosepumpsquicklyLimitations:•Aunitcanonlysupplyupto25head•Smallcalvescannotoperatethepump•Pumpcanonlydrawwaterabout20feetvertically
or200feethorizontally•Cannotbeusedinwinteraswaterindrinkingtrough
andpumpmayfreeze
74
75
Animal-Activated Pumping System
Design ConsiderationsNosepumpsarediaphragmpumpsthatoperateasstockpushapaddleoutofthewaytoaccesswaterinaslopedtrough.Astheanimalwithdrawsafterdrinking,thepaddlereturnsandpumpsaboutonepintofwaterintothetroughforthenextdrink.Watercomesthroughasuctionhosewithafootvalvemountedinastream,pondorotherwatersource.Sincetheprocessisrelativelyslow,alimitednumberoflivestockcanbesuppliedinatimelyway.Nosepumpsareportableandcanbepushedaboutbycattleifnotpinnedtoasolidbase,suchasrailroadties.Pumpscanonlycreateabout20-25feetofverticalliftorabout200-250feetofhorizontaldraw(oracombinationofthese).Lessliftanddistancemakesthepaddlepusheasier.Thisrestrictspumpusefordistributingwaterawayfromthesource(pond,etc).Footpumpsoperateonthesameprinciples.Stockgener-allytakelongertolearnuseofthefootpump.Floatsmaybedesignedtokeepthedrinkingtroughfromoverflowing.References:Bartlett,B.1996.WateringSystemsforGrazingLivestock.GreatLakesBasinGrazingNetworkandMichiganStateUniv.Extension,EastLansing.AgricultureandAgri-foodCanada.2006.Livestock-poweredwaterpumps.Agric.andAgri-FoodCanada,Toronto.http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/facts/nosepump.pdf
76
77
Water-Powered Pump
OverviewThetraditionalwater-poweredpumpisarampump.Itusestheenergyofflowingwatertoliftasmalleramountofwatertoahigherelevationthanthesource.Whenflowingwaterissuddenlystoppeditcreatesahighpressureorshockwave(waterhammer)thatpressurizesaportionofthewater.Becausenoelectricormechanicalpowerisrequired,itisverydifferentfromotherpumpsusedforwater.Aramhasonly2movingpartssothereislittletowearoutorfail.Theflowrequireddependsontheamountofwatertobepumpedandtheratioofthefalltotheliftheights.Formorethan100yearsramsweremajormoversofwaterforhomes,farms,rail-roads,towns,andindustry.Aslingpumpusesaflowingstreamtoturnmanycoilsofpipewithintervalsofwaterandairtodevelopthepressuretoliftwaterashighas80feet.Thispumpisafairlyrecentinven-tion.Likearampump,itrequiresnopower,hasarelativelylowcost,andhasalonglife.
Advantages •Relativelyeconomicaltopurchaseandtoinstall •Provendesignsarecommerciallyavailableinarange
ofsizesforsmallsystems •Rampumpscanbehomebuiltusingplumbingparts
withavailableplans •Willgivemanyyearsofservicewhenproperlyinstalled
andmaintained •Noinputenergyrequired •Relativelytrouble-freeoperation •Wellsuitedtoremotelocationswithnopower •Longdeliverylinesandhighliftscanbeachievedwith
thecorrectconditionsLimitations •Requiresayear-roundsurfaceflowtopowerthepump •Winteroperationisdifficultexceptunderspecial
conditions
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Storage tank
Water out
Delivery valve
Waste water
Waste valveValve box
Straight rigiddrive pipe
Powered by gravity �owfrom source. Needs aminimum (2 ft.) amountof elevation to work.(3-4 ft. is better)
Deliverhead
Airvessel
Supply head(minimum 2 ft.)
Ram Pump
79
Ram Pump Limitations •Thefallfromthesourcetotherammustbeatleast2feet •Requiresseveraltimesasmuchpass-throughwaterflow
forhighlift-to-fallratios;highliftsrequirehighfalls •Sourcewatershouldbefreeofdebrisandsand •Suitablesitesincludestreamswithasteepgradient,water-
falls,orspringsabovestreams •Winteroperationrequiresaninsulatedstructure
andaheatsource,suchaspassivesolarheatingSling Pump Limitations •Requiresa2.5-footminimumdepthofflowingwater
andavelocityofatleast1.5feetpersecond •Cannotbeusedwhenwaterfreezes •Mustbeanchoredinaflowingstream,leavingitsubject
todamageandevenlossinhighfloworfloodconditions
Water-Powered Pump
80
WaterWater Flow
WaterIntake
Directionon pumprotation
Feeder hoseto stock tank
Sling Pump
81
Water-Powered Pump
Design Considerations for a Ram PumpEssentialcomponentsofarampumpsystemincludeaconsis-tentwatersource,adrivepipe,arampumpandadeliverypipe.Consistent water source:Thesourcemustbeatleast2feet(higherisbetter)aboveasuitableramsitewithgooddis-chargelocation.Thesourcecouldbeastreamwithasteepgradientwhereasmalldamordiversionchannelcanbecon-structed,or–betterstill–aspringabovethestreamchannel.Ahillsidespringthatflowsatareasonablyconstantrate(oraminimumratetodrivethepump)isideal.Ifadamisused,theintakeforthedrivepipemayextendthroughthedam.Mostsmallpondswouldnotstoreadequatewatertodrivethepumpasneededduringdryperiods.However,aspring-fedpondmayworkfine.Drive pipe:Adrivepipeofrigid,preferablystraightpipe(usuallygalvanizedsteel)deliversthewatertopowertheram.Thelengthofthepipeshouldbeintherangeof150timesthediameterofthepipetonomorethan1,000timesthediameterofthepipe.Thedrivepipeusuallyhasaballvalveadjacenttotheconnectionwiththerampump.Astandpipecanbeaddedtoavoidalongdrive-pipelength.Ram pump:Therampumpconsistsofanimpulsevalvesimilartoacheckvalve,aspringloadedcheckvalve,anairchamber,tees,couplings,andapressuregauge.
Delivery pipe: Adeliverypipeconnectsthepumptotheplaceofstorageoruse.Aballvalveadjacenttotheunionthatconnectstotherampumpallowsthelinetobeshutoffsothepumpcanberemovedforserviceorrepairs.Becausethislinehaslesswaterflow,itissmallerindiameterthanthedrivepipe.Itdoesnothavetheshockwavesthatthedrivepipedoessoaplasticpipewillperformwellforthisline.Itisimportanttominimizefrictionlosstomaximizetheamountofwaterdelivered.Avoidasmanyfittingsandbendsaspos-sibleandusealargerdiameterpipetominimizefrictionloss.Design Considerations for a Sling PumpEssentialcomponentsofaslingpumpsystemincludeanchor-ing,apropellortoturnthepump,andadeliveryhose.Anchoring: Thissecurestheslingpumpinanadequatedepthofflowingwater.Thismayrequirestakesandcables.Propeller:Apropellertoturnthepump.Thepumpcontainsacoilofpipeandhasanintakesoalternatingairandwaterentersthecoilsasthepumpturns.Thewaterlubricatedswivelconnection,itsonlymovingpart,deliversthewaterfromthepumptothedeliveryhose.Delivery hose:Thisconnectsthedeliverypipelinetotheplaceofuse.
82
W
H
PH
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
PH
H
H
– Pump House
– Homes (2)
– Water Tank
S – Storage Tank
– Main Line
– Branch
S
W
W
W
W
WW
W
North
83
Pipeline Network from Offsite Water Source
OverviewWhenseveralwateroutletsareclosetogether,asforafeed-lotorrotationalgrazingsystem,itusuallyislessexpensivetoinstallapipelinenetworkthantoinstallaseparatewatersource,pump,andenergysupplyforeachoutlet.Thepipelineissizedtocarrytheamountofwaterrequiredbythelengthofline,thedifferenceinelevation,andwaterdemandateachoutlet.Pipelinesizesandfeaturesmustbeplannedforeachspecificsystembasedonthesiteandsystemrequirements.
Advantages •Typicallyrequiresonlyoneadequatewatersourceandan
appropriatepumptosupplyseveraloutlets •Forverylargesystems,afewwatersourcescouldbecon-
nectedforimprovedperformanceorincreasedreliability •Asinglelargecapacitysourceisoftenlessexpensiveand
morereliablethanseveralsmallerones •Lessmaintenanceisusuallyrequiredforonesourceand
pumpthanforseveral •Especiallywell-suitedifwaterorpowerisnotreadily
availableforallwatererlocations •Inremoteareaspipelineisoftenlessexpensivethan
developingmultiplewatersourcesandpowersuppliesLimitations •Redundancyorbackupforpumpsandpowermaybeimpor-
tantbecausethereisasinglesourceformultiplewaterers •Themoreoutletssuppliedbythenetwork,thegreater
thesourceyieldrequired •Shallowrockmaysubstantiallyincreasethecostofinstalla-
tionandlimitthedepththatwaterlinescanbeburied •Waterlinesmustbeinstalledbelowfrostleveltoavoid
winterfreezing •Systemdesignandconstructionmayrequirean
experiencedhydraulicsprofessional •Pipenetworkdesignissite-specificforlocalconditions
andneeds,suchastopographyandpasturearrangement
84
Mainline
Branch Lines
Loop networks with strategicallylocated shuto� valves allow a sectionof line to be isolated for maintenanceor repairs and still supply otherwatering points.
Branched Network Loop Network
Source or Storage Tank
Storage Tank
Watering Point
Watering Point
Friction losses small to push water over the ridge
Watering Point
Types of Water Distribution Networks
Source or Storage Tank
Watering Points
85
Design ConsiderationsDesigningalargelivestock-waterdeliverysystemissimi-lartodesigningthewaternetworkforasmalltownorruralwaterdistrict.Theassistanceofaqualifiedengineerisusuallyrequiredtodeterminewaterlinesizeandvalvelocationstoassureadequatecapacityfordeliveringtherequiredamountofwater.Thedesignershouldlocateairreliefvalves,vacuumreliefvalves,shutoffvalves,waterstorage,andthrustblockingaswellaspipelineandfittings.Air relief valve.Thisvalveallowsairthataccumulatesathighpointsofthewaterlinetobereleasedsoitdoesnotrestrictwaterflow.Insomecaseswhenthewaterlinevelocityishighenoughtoforcetheairthroughthelinetheaircanbereleasedatawaterdeliverypoint.Vacuum relief valve.Whentherearelargedifferencesinele-vation,thisvalveisimportanttopreventvacuumintheline,whichcanresultinthecollapseorbreakageofthepipe.Thevalveistypicallyusedwiththeairreliefvalvetominimizethenumberoffittingsandreducecost.Shutoff valve.Thepipelinenetworkdesignshouldcon-sidershutoffvalvelocationsthatallowsectionsofthelinetobeisolatedforrepairsandmaintenance.Thisconsiderationshouldincludeanevaluationofvalvelocationandcostrela-tivetotheadvantageofhavingthewatersystemremainfunc-tionalduringrepairorservice.Aloopedpipenetworkenablesmostofthewatersystemtoremainpressurizedandthususablewhileaportionofitisisolatedanddepressurized.
Online storage.Publicsystemsincludestoragetoholdatemporarywatersupplytomeetinstantaneousdemands.Inlivestockwatersystems,thiscanbedonebyusingelevatedstoragetanks(asinpublicsystems)ormoretypicallybyusinglargediametertankstoprovidestorageandallowseveralani-malstodrinkatonce.Pipeline size and specification.Eachsegmentofthewatersystempipelinemustbedesignedsothattherequiredamountofwaterisdeliveredtotheoutlet.Pressurelossesattribut-abletothediameterandlengthofasegmentmustbeconsid-eredwhenselectingwatersystemcomponents.Selectingthepipelinespecificationrequiresconsiderationoftheoperatingpressure,pressuresurges,andthestrengthofthepipe.Itofteniscost-effectivetochooseaheavier-walledpipethanpres-surerequiresinordertoadddurability,lengthenservice,andreducerepaircost.Fittingsmustbeatleastasstrongasthepipeline.
Pipeline Network from Offsite Water Source
86
87
Water Storage Tank
OverviewWhenelevated,waterstoragetanksprovideareservoirforcircumstanceswhenwatermaynotbeimmediatelyavailablefromthewatersource.Suchcircumstanceswouldincludestilldaysinawindmillsystem,pumpfailure,orpoweroutage.Astoragetankalsoallowsalow-volumebutsteadywatersupplytoaccumulateinquantitiessufficienttomeettheneedsofaherdwithheavywaterusageduringshorttimeintervals.
Advantages •Severalwatererscanbesuppliedfromonestoragetank •Mayneedlesspipelinethanrunningaseparatelinefrom
thewatersourcetoeachwaterer •Canrapidlyrefillwatereratpeakdemandtimes •Providesbackupsourceofwaterforintermittentpower
sourcessuchassolarandwind •Wellsuitedtoasystemthathasasteady,lowflowthatis
adequatetomeetdailydemandbutnotadequatetomeetpeakflowrequirements.
•VeryreliableandrequireslittlemaintenanceLimitations •Terrainmaybeunsuitedforanelevatedtankthatgravity-
feedswaterers •Malfunctioningfloatsincattlewaterercancausequick
drainageofentirewaterstorage •Duringwinter,continuoususeistypicallyrequiredtokeep
tankfromfreezing •Tankmustbeachoredorcontinuouslycontainwateras
weighttopreventwindmovinganddamagingthetank
88
Inlet PipeFrom Source
Shuto� Valve Shuto� Valve
Water Storage Tank
Float Level Control
Livestock Water Tank
To Distribution
Outlet Pipeto Pipe Network
(Protected From Freezing)
89
Water Storage Tank
Design ConsiderationsWaterstoragetanksmustbedesignedfortheelevationdifferenceandpipelinelossestomeetthewaterdeliveryrequirement.Waterstoragetanksenhanceintermittentwatersuppliesfromwindmills,solarpoweredpumpsandsiteswithlowwaterrecharge.Toavoidarestrictioninflow,thetankentranceshouldbethesamesizeasthelinesenteringandexiting.Assistancefromahydraulicsexpertisadvisabletosizethetankandwaterlinesforbestperformance.The size of the water storage tank is a function of two important factors: •theamountofwaterneeded–normallydeterminedbythe
gallonsofwaterperheadperday •theamountofwaterthatcanbedelivered–normally
determinedbytheaveragegroundwaterflowavailablepermonth.
Tankscanbemadeofsteel,galvanizedsteel,fiberglass,orplastic.Nursetanksworkwellandrangeinsizefrom500to1,600gallons.Recycledoilfieldandfueltankscanbecleanedandadaptedforuseaswaterstoragetanks.Steeltankscanbequitelargebutmayhaveashortlife.Coatingscanbeusedtoimprovethedurabilityofsteeltanks.Recycledstainlesssteelmilktankscanalsobeusedbutarelikelytobemoreexpen-sive.
Waterstoragetanksshouldbefittedwithafloatvalvethatshutsoffthewaterwhenthetankisfull.Thetankshouldhaveadrainonthedownhillside.Valvesshouldbeinstalledtoisolatethetankfromthepipelinesothetankcanbedrainedforserviceorrepairandthepipelinecanstillfunc-tion.Checkvalvesshouldbeinstalledtoavoidundesiredflowreversal.Maintenanceisminimal.Ifthewatersourceisturbid,sedimentwillaccumulateinthetankandshouldbeperiodi-callyremovedtoavoidtankdeteriorationandwatertasteandodorproblems.Mostwaterstoragetanksgravity-feedtowaterers.Thewaterservicelineshouldbeburiedatanadequatedepthtopreventfreezingandshouldalsohaveacheckvalveinstalledtopreventsiphoningofwaterfromthewatertank.
90
Item Primary Advantages Primary Disadvantages Estimated CostConcrete waterer Longusefullife;lowoperationcosts Tanksareheavy;notavailableatmost
farmsupplystores;shippingcostsmaybehigh
About$350,notincludingshippingorinstallation
Limited access watering point
Simpleandinexpensive;reducedbankerosion;lesssedimentandfewernutri-entsenteringstreams
Fewoptionsforlocationofwateringpoint
$200ormoredependingonsizeandsiteconditions
Hardened surface access and rock channel crossing
Easilyadaptedtovariousstreamsizesandlocations;quickinstallation;longusefullife;lowmaintenance
Relativelyexpensive;musthavesuitablesiteandstreamcharacteristics
About$2,000-$7,000formaterialsandinstallation
Super insulated waterer Noneedforsupplementalheattopreventfreeze-up
Canbedamagedifallowedtofreezerepeatedly,especiallywhennotinuse
About$500,notincludingfreightandinstallation
Bottomless tank Largecapacityatcomparativelylowcostcomparedwithothertanks;servesaswaterstorageaswellasdrinkingdevice
Permanantlylocated;can’tbemovedascangalvanizedorfiberglasstanks
Concrete(30’x30’x6”pad)$1400;rebar,bolts,overflowpipe$300;rings$1,700
Tire tank Simpleandinexpensive;durableandnon-breaking
Removalofpartorallofonesidewalltomakethetankisdifficult;tiresizemaylimitwaterstorageforlargerherds
Tirecanbeobtainedfreeinsomecases.Cementforbottomabout$25;plumbing(valuesandfittings)$120-$150;waterpipe$0.40/ft.;drainpipe$1.10/ft.;sandandgravelsurround$100
Fiberglass or galvanized tank
Becauseofstoredwaterthelargerthetank,thesmallerthewaterdeliverycapacityneededtosupplytheanimals;canbeeasilymovedasneeded
Galvanizedsteelandfiberglasstanksdon’tlastaslongasconcrete;emptytankswillblowinthewind
10’diametergalvanizedtank$500;300gal.fiberglasstank$180
Animal Drink Delivery Comparison Chart
91
Animal Drink Delivery
92
93
Concrete Waterers
OverviewConcretewaterersprovidereliable,durablewateringsources.Theycanbeinstalledasgravity-flowsystems,eliminatingtheneedforapowersource.Theareaaroundthewaterercanbeeasilyprotectedwithageotextileandgravelsurface.Fence-lineinstallationsallowwateringtwograzingareaswithonewaterer.
Advantages •Allowsrelocationofthewatersourcetoreduce
oreliminatedirectstreamandpondaccessbylivestock •Livestockoftenprefertodrinkfromatrough •Longusefullife •Canbeinstalledtobefreezeresistant •Doesnotrequirehighwaterpressure •Lowoperationcosts •Usedinconjunctionwithfencingofpond,improvespond
waterqualityandlifeofpond •Minimalmaintenancerequirements •Producercaninstall •Multipleconcretewatererscanbeplumbedinto
awaterlineifthegradeissufficientlysteep •Canbeusedwithnon-pressurized(gravityflow)and
pressurizedwatersourceswithequalsuccess •Doesnotrequireapouredconcretepad •ManytankmodelstochoosefromLimitations •Tanksareheavy,weighingbetween2,300and3,000
poundseach •Shippingcostsmaybehigh •Notavailableatmostfarmsupplystores •Ifapondisthewatersource,itmusthavealivestock
waterpipelineunder,throughoraroundtheponddam
94
2” x 8”Treated Planking
Over�ow(optional)
Shut-o�Water Supply
Float Valve
24” Minimum
Drill 5/16” holes
4” x 6” Treated Posts – Set 48” in groundand imbedded in concrete. Set 54” apart.(or all concrete)
Hand-shaped depression fortank drainage and cleaning.
Earth Fill
Gravel FillHardened Mat
Earth Fill Over Waterer
Concrete Waterer
Water
95
Concrete Waterer
Design ConsiderationsThewaterershouldbeplacedonawell-drainedgravelorsandsitethatofferssomeprotectionfromthewindifthewatererwillbeusedduringthewinter.Thesiteshouldincludeanareaofabout15feetsquareinfrontofthewatererforcattletostand.Thispadareacanbecoveredwithgeotextileclothandgravelof1-2inchesindiameter.Thewaterershouldbelocatedatleast4feetbelowthewaterlevelinthepondandbeneaththedamforpositivegravityflow.Thepipelineshouldbeburiedbelowthefrostline.Afterwatererinstallation,dirtwillneedtobepiledaroundthebackandsidestopreventfreezing.Thepipelinecanbeplacedeitherunderthedam(newpondconstruction),orthroughthedamoroutthesideofthepond(existingponds).Usuallythetrenchisconstructedfromthewatererbacktowardsthepond,stoppingabout2feetfromthepondedge.Thepipeislaidinthetrench,startingatthevalveatthewatererend.Itisveryimportanttosealthespacearoundthepipelinewithin20feetoftheedgeofthepondusingananti-seepcollarorbentoniteclay.
Therestofthetrenchcanbeexcavatedintothepond,goingdeeperasnecessary.Thetrenchmustextendfarenoughintothepondtoplacethepipeinletwherethewaterisdeepest.Installationinstructionscanbeobtainedbycontactingyourwatershedspecialistorviewingtandbyviewing“AdoptaDrop:WeCan’tAllBeUpaCreek”(http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/kcare/KELP%20Water/KELPwaterer_files/frame.htm).AdescriptionofinstallationisgivenintheK-StateResearchandExtensionpublicationAlternative Livestock Watering: Covered Concrete Water, MF-2737,July2006.
96
97
Limited Access Watering Points
OverviewPondsandstreamsarecommonsourcesoflivestockwaterinKansas.However,allowingunlimitedaccesscancauseseverebankerosion,poorwaterqualityandotherrelatedproblems.Cattleprefercleanwaterandavoidsteep,muddyapproachestowatersourceswheneverpossible.Developingaccesswater-ingpointswithahardenedsurfaceandfencingisoftenfairlysimpleandsolvesmanyoftheseconcerns.
Advantages •Simpleandinexpensive •Improvedlivestocksafetyandhealth,lessfootrotand
fewerleginjuries •Reducedbankerosion •Lesssedimentandfewernutrientsenteringstreamsand
ponds •Extendedpondlife •Applicabletonewandexistingponds •IncreasedwaterintakemaymeanbetterlivestockgainsLimitations •Notadaptedtolargestreams •Fencemaintenancerequiredwhenstreamfloods •Fewoptionsforlocationofwateringpoint •FewexamplesinKansas
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99
Design ConsiderationsToencourageanimaluse,anaccessramporwalkwayshouldhaveamaximumslopeof6:1runtorise(17%)ora10degreeslope.Rampsassteepas4:1havebeenused.However,aflatterslope(8:1to20:1)isgenerallybetterwhenspaceallows,especiallywhenconditionsareicy.Therampsurfaceshouldbecompactedandnon-slip(crushedrock,gravelorconcrete).A3:1slope(orflatter)forthesidesoftherampispreferablewhensiteconditionspermit.Widthmayvary(recommendationsrangefrom4to80feet)butagoodguidelineis10feetplusonefootforeach10headofcattle–forexample,55feetfor50head.Fencingisgener-allydesirabletoexcludelivestockfromotherpartsofthepondorstream,especiallyiftheycongregateandloafduringhotdays.AfloatingfencemadeofPVCpipecanbeusedtorestrictacesstothepondreservoiratacostof$200-300.A16-footstreamcrossing/accesspointforsmallstreams,usinggravelwithgeotextileandsandbase,canbeconstructedforlessthan$500.Thispracticemayrequirepermits.Pleasereadthepermitsectionofthishandbook(p.143).
ReferencesPorter,M.D.andJ.S.McNeill.2006.Livestockwateraccesspointinpondfence.TheSamuelRobertsNobleFoundation,Ardmore,OK.http://www.noble.org/Ag/Livestock/Waterpoint/Porter_PondAccess.htmNaturalResourcesConservationService.2003.Conservationpracticestandard:accessroad.Code560.USDA.ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/560.pdfNaturalResourcesConservationService.2003.Conservationpracticestandard:heavyuseareaprotection.Code561.USDA.ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/561.pdf
Limited Access Watering Points
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Hardened Surface Access
OverviewProperlydesignedandinstalledhardenedcrossingsprovideasafe,permanentareaforlivestockandequipmenttocrossstreamswithoutbecomingboggedinthemud.
Advantages •Easilyadaptedtovariousstreamsizesandlocations •Quickinstallation •Longusefullife •Lowmaintenance •Doesnotcreatestreamobstruction •Doesnotimpairstreamflow •Whenusedinconjunctionwithfencing,improveswater
qualitybylimitinglivestockaccesstostream. •DoesnotrequirepouredconcreteLimitations •Canbeexpensive
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103
Hardened Surface Access
Design ConsiderationsCrossingsshouldalwaysbeplacedonriffles—neverinpools—andshouldbeplacedperpendiculartostreamflow.Thecrossingsurfaceshouldbeatanelevationequaltostreambedelevation.Geotextilefabricshouldbeplacedundertherockorgravelfillmaterial.Thispracticemayrequirepermits.Pleasereadthepermitsectionofthishandbook(p.143).
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105
Super-Insulated Waterer
OverviewIce-freewaterisachallengeforlivestockproducersincolderclimates.Experiencewithmanydifferenttypesofwaterershasledmajorcompaniesandproducerstoconsiderproductswithmuchhigherinsulationvalues(R-factor–resistancetoheatflow).Producershavereportedproblemswithheat-ingelementsorburnersintheirwaterersthataredesignedtopreventingfreezing.Greateracceptanceofmolded-plasticusearoundlivestockhasledtomanufactureofsuper-insulatedplasticwaterers.Inmostcasessuper-insulatedwaterershaveoperatedverywellinthecentralU.S.withoutuseofauxiliaryelectricheatingelementsorgasburners.
Advantages •Noneedforsupplementalheattopreventfreeze-up •Availablefromlocalfarmsupplystores •Availabilityofpartsisgood •Livestocklearntousethemeasily •Doesnotrust •UsesUV-resistantmoldedplasticLimitations •Requiresmorefrequentcheckingthanothertypes
ofwaterers •Canbedamagedifallowedtofreezerepeatedly
(leftwithnolivestock) •Requiresasolidorconcretebase
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DisplaceableInsulating Seal
Air-gap allows warm air from below soil freeze line to contact the tank.
Insulated Box
Sealed Connectionto Concrete Base
Concrete Footing(3’ deep, 6-8” thick)
Insulation Water
Level Control Valve
Water Supply Pipe
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Super-Insulated Waterer
Design ConsiderationsCombininguseofavertical“earthtube”intothegroundbelowthewatererwiththewarmthofthewaterasitentersthewaterergenerallyprovidesenoughenergytopreventicefromforminginsidethewaterer.Whenwatercolderthannormalgroundwatertemperatureisused,suchaspondwaterorspringwater,thechanceoffreezingisgreater.Thesewaterersutilizeavarietyofdoorsorcoverstoretaintheintrinsicheatofthewaterandtosealcoldairandwindout.Mostwaterersuseeitheralargeballthatfloatstightagainsttheinsideofthetankoradoorthatthelivestockopeninordertoaccessthewater.Occasionallythesedoorsorballswillfreezeshut;however,abumportapbytheproducerwillopenthedoorordislodgetheball.Livestockeasilylearnhowtoaccessthewater.Thesetanksrelyonasignificantvolumeofwarmerwatertopreventfreezing,sothenumberoflivestockperwaterershouldbeadjustedtoensurethatthewatererwillrefillperi-odicallywithwarmerwater.TheproducerwillnormallyfindthatinthecentralU.S.,aflowthrough(oruse)oftwoorthreevolumesofwaterisrequiredonthecoldestdaystopreventfreezing.Mostcompaniesrecommendatleast10-15headperwaterer.Thesewatererscanbeplacedinafencelinetoallowmorelivestocktouseawaterer.
Producersarecautionedtochecktheseenergyfreewatererstwiceaday;inthemorningtomakesurethatlivestockcanaccessthewater,andagainneareveningtoassurethefloatandvalveareoperatingproperly.Superinsulatedwaterersshouldbeplacedinalocationpro-tectedfromthewindandsnowtominimizeheatlossandreducethechanceoffreezing.Asiteexposedtothesunalsoreducestheprobabilityofthewatererfreezing.Mostsuper-insulatedwaterersrequireasolidbasesuchasaconcretepad.Agoodgravelbasearoundtheconcretepadshouldbeconsidered.Referto“GeotextileandGravelSurrounds”onp.123.
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109
Bottomless Tank
OverviewBottomlesstanksarelarge,open-toppedtanksusedforstor-ingwaterandwateringlivestock.Theyaremostoftenmadeofcorrugatedmetalsections,suchasgrainbinsections,boltedtogethertoformalargecircularringonsite.Abottomisconstructedinsidethetankafteritisassembledandplacedinposition.Thebottomisusuallymadeofbentoniteclay,con-creteorPVCplasticmembrane.Becausebottomlesstankscomeunassembled,verylarge(20feetorlargerdiameter)tanksarepossible.Tanksthissizewouldbeprohibitivelyexpensivetoshipiftheywerealreadyassembled.Becauseoftheirwaterstoragecapacitythesetankscancompensateforthevariablewateroutputofwindmillandsolarpanelsystems,assuringanadequatesupplyoflivestockwateratalltimes.Livestockdrinkdirectlyfrombottomlesstanks.
Advantages •Simpleconstruction •Easilyadaptabletomostsites •Largecapacityatcomparativelylowcostcompared
withothertanks •Canbeconstructedwithon-farmlabor •ServesasbothwaterstorageanddrinkingdeviceLimitations •Tankwilleventuallyneedtoberebuiltduetosoil-
structureproperties •Canberelocated,butonlywithmuchtime,effort
andexpense
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16’–20’ in diameter30” deep
Concrete foundationand bottom
111
Bottomless Tank
Design ConsiderationsBottomlesstanksaregenerally25-30inchesdeepand20feetormoreindiameter.Thelowerpartofthewallisembeddedintothetankbottommaterial.Thetankbottomissusceptibletosoilshiftingandtochangesinsoiltemperatureandmoisture.Minormaintenanceisrequiredonaregularbasis.Withsubstantialeffort,tankscanbedisassembled,moved,andreassembledatanotherlocation.
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113
Tire Tank
OverviewUsedrubbertiresfromheavyearth-movingorconstructionequipmenthavebeenadaptedforuseasreliablelivestockwatertanks.Theyhaveproventobedurable,relativelyinex-pensive,andcapableofbeingusedwithavarietyofwatersources.Innumeroussituationsandsettings,theyarefreeze-resistantinwinter.
Advantages •Simpleandgenerallyinexpensive •Availableinavarietyofsizes •Durableandnon-breakable;nosharpedgestoinjure
livestock •Canbeusedwithwaterlinesfromwells,springs,
andneworexistingponds •Freeze-resistantinwinterifsomeprotectionprovidedLimitations •Heavytohandleduringinstallation •Limitedsizemaylimitwaterstorageforlargerherds •Removalofpartorallofonesidewalltomaketank
isusuallydifficult
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115
Hole cut through tireto allow livestock access
Hole cut through tireto allow livestock access
Large, heavy-duty tirewith concrete pouredin bottom to hold water
Tire Tank
Design ConsiderationsRubbertiretanksarenormallysuppliedviapipelinefromwells,springsorponds.Choosetanksbasedonthesizeoftheherdtobewateredandthesupplyrateofthewatersource.Sizesrangefrom5to15ormorefeetindiameter.Widthofthetire(tankheight)canbeasmuchasfourfeet.Theside-wallofthetireiscutawayinpartorentirelyonthetopsidetoallowdrinkingaccess.Cuttingfewerholeswillimprovethefreezeresistanceofthetankwhilecuttingawaytheentiresidewallwillallowmorelivestocktodrinkatonetime.Largertirescanbepartiallyburiedforsomeprotectionfromfreez-ingandtoreducetheheightofthetires,allowingaccessforsmalleranimals.Useaheavy-dutysawtocutandremovepartorallofthesidewallontheuppersidetoallowlivestockeasyaccesstowater.Thepipelinerisersupplyingthewater(inlet)shouldbeplacedinthecenterofthetireorotherwiseprotectedfrombreak-agebylivestock.AsupplylineofonetotwoinchPVCpipeisgenerallyinstalled.Apipejointatthebaseoftheriserisrec-ommendedtoalloweasyreplacementincasethetopportionisbroken.Mosttiretanksarefittedwithsometypeoffloatorshut-offvalve.Anoverflowlineisnotinstalledexceptwhenthetankispartofaspringdevelopmentandanoverflowlineisneededtocarryawayexcessinfloworpreventfreezing.
Useconcrete,bentoniteorotherheavyclaytosealthelowersideofthetireatgroundleveltopreventleakage.Tanksmaybepartiallyburiedorsoilmoundedpartofthewayupthesidestoreducefluctuationsinwatertemperature.Placingalayerofcoarsegravelorothersimilarmaterialaroundthetankwillprovideadurable,hardenedsurfaceandeliminatemuddyconditions.Placinga“deck”ofusedrailroadtiesadja-centtothetirewillhelpgivesmallcalvesaccesstothewater.Buildingaprotectiverailingoverthetankisrecommendedtokeepanimalsfrombeingpushedintothetankandawayfrompipingandfloats.Mostrubbertiretankscanbeinstalledforafewhundreddol-lars.Someconstructioncompanieswillgiveawayusedtiresatconstructionsitessimplytohavethemremoved.Tiresarealsoavailablefromseveralsuppliers.Examplesoftiretankscanbeviewedatwww.wenzelconstruction.com/rubbertiretanks.html.
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Fiberglass or Galvanized Tank
OverviewPortabletanksareanimportantpartoflivestockwatering.Galvanizedsteelandfiberglasstanksarethetwotypescom-monlyused.Theyareconsideredportablebecausetheyarereasonablylightweightcomparedwithotheroptions.Emptytanksareeasytomoveforatemporaryneed.Tanksaresuit-ableforwateringalargenumberofanimalsatatimeandaregenerallyeconomical.
Advantages •Waterqualityinatankisusuallybetterthancattle
drinkingdirectlyfromapond •Asingletankcanservemorethanonepaddockorlot •Canbeeasilymovedwhenneeded •Canbelocated/relocatedtoimprovecattledistribution
inapaddock •Alargetankallowsseveralanimalstodrinkatonce •Becauseofstoredwaterthelargerthetankthesmallerthe
waterdeliverycapacityneededtosupplytheanimals •Tanksworkwellforhauledwater •Portabletankscanbemovedregularlytoavoidmudholes
developingaroundthetankLimitations •Soilaroundthewaterercanbecomemuddyfromcattle
drippinganddepressionsthatdevelopandcollectrainfall •Manufacturedtanksmaybemorecostlythanausedtire
tankandaremoresusceptabletodamage •Galvanizedsteelandfiberglasstanksdon’tlastaslong
asconcretetanks;probablynotthebestchoiceforapermanantly-locatedwaterer
•Galvanizedtankswilleventuallyrust •Emptyandunsecuredtankscanbeblownawayorstolen •Largetanksareawkwardtomove
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119
Fiberglass or Galvanized Tank
Design ConsiderationsTanksshouldbesitedonwell-drainedlevelground.Watershoulddrainawayfromthetanktohelpavoidamudholearoundthetanksite.Besurethesiteispreparedbyremovinganyrocksandmakingthearealevel.Sharprockscanpuncturethebottomoftanks.Galvanizedandfiberglasstanksthataresuppliedbyagravityorpressuredwatersourceneedamethodtopreventoverflow.Optionsincludefloatsthatwillshutoffthewatersupplywhenthetankisfulloranoverflowthatdrainsbygravityintoalowspotordrawthatisatleast50feetfromthetank.Thetankshouldbesizedtomeettheneedsforthenum-berofanimalsitwillsupply.Ifthepastureislarge,thetankshouldbeabletosupplyallanimalswithinabout30minutes(adrinkingevent)withoutloweringthewaterlevelmorethanabout10inches.Thismeansthatthewatercontainedinthe10-inchwater-leveldropplustheinflowduringthedrinktimeareadequatetosupplyonedrinkingevent.Duringthewinter,waterintankswillfreezeonthesurfaceandholesmustbechoppedthroughtheicesocattlecandrink.Whensufficientflowisavailable,tanksfedbyground-watershouldhaveanoverflowtoallowatrickleorlowflowthroughitduringthewintertominimizefreezing.Ground-waterisafairlyconstanttemperatureofabout55degreesinKansas.
Toavoidmudaroundpermanenttanklocations,thespacearoundthetankshouldbeprotectedbyahardsurfaceordraininghardmaterialsuchasgravelorgeotextile-gravelsurfacing.Rockthatisabout2inchesindiameterwillbeuncomfortableenoughthatcattlewon’tlingerbythewateranddestroysurroundingvegetation.Concreteisanexcellentlonglifesurfacingmaterialbutisexpensive.Soilcementorflyashshouldbelessexpensiveoptionsthatprovideadurablehardsurfacing,butwithashorterlifethanconcrete.Portabletankscaneasilybemovedfromtimetotimetoavoiddestroyinggrassandcreatingamudhole.Watersupplylinescanbeflexibleabovegroundpipe.
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121
Livestock Management Practices
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123
Hardened Mat
OverviewWateringsitesfrequentlybecomemuddyduetoexcesswater,urine,andmanuredepositednearthewaterer.Geosyntheticmaterialandgravelcoverontheareaaroundthewatererprovideahardenedsurface,reduceanimalstressduetomud,providesolidfooting,andallowexcesswatertodrainwayinsteadofpoolingaroundthewaterer.Thereare2typesofgeosynthetics:geotextiles(afabricmaterial)andgeogrids(across-hatchedorhoneycombedgridthatholdsrock).Thefabricformsacontinuouslayeroverthesurfaceoftheground;theplasticexpandablegridholdsrockinplace.Bothgeotex-tilesandgeogridsarecoveredorfilledwithrock,flyash,orothermaterialthatallowswatertodrainthroughthesuface.
Advantages •Keepsrockfromworkingintotheground
anddisappearing •Providessolidfootingforanimalsandhumans
aroundthewateringsite •Excesswaterpercolatesbackintothesoil •Rockdiscourageslivestockfromloiteringaround
thetank,allowingallanimalsachancetodrinkandreducingmanureandurinedeposits
•Muchlessexpensivethanconcrete •Easilyinstalledbyproducer •Nospecialtoolsneededforinstallation •Minimalpreparationtimeneededforinstallation •ReducesrunoffanderosionDisadvantages •Lesspermanentthanconcrete
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Stock Tank
Woven Geotextile Fabric(Water Porous)
Woven Geotextile Fabric(Water Porous)
6”
2” of Fine Gravel (½”–1” Diameter)
2” of Fine Gravel(½”–1” Diameter)
6” of Coarse Gravel (1 ½”–2 ½” Diameter)
6” of Coarse Gravel(1 ½”–2 ½” Diameter)
30’
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Hardened Mat
Design ConsiderationsAgeosyntheticandgravel-hardenedmatworksbeston7-8percentslopessowaterwilldrainawayfromthesite.Thesur-roundshouldextend8-12feetonallsidesofthewaterertowhichlivestockhaveaccess.Geosynthetictextilecanbelaiddirectlyontopofexistinggrass,butwoodyvegetationmustberemovedpriortoinstal-lation.Formoresecureinstallation,a6inchdeeptrenchcanbemadewithasinglechiselpoint.Theedgeofthegeotextileispushedintothetrenchandthentheentiresurfaceiscov-eredwitha4-6inchlayerofcoarserock(2-3inchdiameter).Atopsurfaceoffinesisdesirableforamorestableandcom-fortablesurface.Flyash,smallgravelorfinelycrushedlime-stonemakeagoodsurface.Mixed-diameterriverrockwiththesandremovedwillalsomakeagoodsurface.
Minimalmaintenanceisneededtokeepthesurfaceingoodcondition.Excessmanurecanbehauledawayafterlivestockareremovedfromthepasture.Additionalrockmaybeneededafter5-10years.Geotextileclothcanbeobtainedfromhighwaydepartmentsandconservationdistricts.Ahardenedimpermeablesurfacehasthedisadvantagethatwatercannotpercolatethroughit.However,itmaybemoredurableandhavealongerlifethangravelovergeotextile.Optionsforthistypeofsurfaceincludeconcrete,soilcement,andalayerofflyashthatwillsetupwhenwet.
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127
Grazing Management Changes for Water Quality
OverviewAllowinglivestocktohavedirectaccesstostreamsandpondscanhavenegativeimpactstobankstability,waterquality,livestockperformanceandaquaticorganisms.Fencingtoexcludelivestockoftenisrecommendedasapracticetopro-tectstreamsandponds.Inmanyinstances,similarprotectioncanbeprovidedbychanginggrazingmanagementsystems.PaineandLyons(1999)reportedthatgoodgrazingmanage-ment,includingrotationalgrazing,canprotectstreambanksandriparianareasnearlyaswellasungrazedbufferstrips.Theseauthorsalsoreportedthatgrassybuffersarebetterthanwoodybuffersalongsmallstreams.FecalcoliformbacteriaandturbiditywereconsistentlyhigheratcontinuouslygrazedsiteswhencomparedwithrotationallygrazedsitesalongsmallMinnesotastreams(Sovelletal.2000).ResearchersinIowabelievethemajorsourceofsedimentandphosphorusfromgrazedpasturescomesfromstreambankerosion.PaineandLyonsfoundthatpasturesmanagedwithshort-durationgrazinghadsignificantlylessbankerosionthancontinuouslygrazedpastureswithbufferstrips.
Advantages •Rotationgrazingimprovesvigoranddensityofriparian
vegetation •Moreacceptabletolivestockproducersthanfencing
offstreams •Lesscosttoimplementandmaintainthanstreamside
fencesLimitations •Notwellsuitedtolargerstreams
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The area around each water source is grazed more heavily. Placing additional water sources in more lightly grazed areas of a paddock can result in both reduced overgrazing around the original water source and increased grazing in less utilized areas of the paddock.
Many different grazing schemes can be used to maximize livestock grazing while protecting vegetation and water. All rotations involve providing a period of rest for the vegetation to recover after grazing. When designing a rotation, consider the following:
• length of time required for vegetation to recover (will change over the course of the growing season)
• frequency of rotation• ease of moving livestock between paddocks• livestock production goals• environmental and ecological goals
(water quality, wildlife habitat)
Water Tank
Traditional quarter section of grass with no cross-fencing
Area of Under Grazing
Area ofOver Grazing
Water Tanks
Water Storage Tank
Rotational grazed quarter section with 12 paddocks
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12
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Design ConsiderationsFencingdesignsthatcreateagrazeableunitaroundapondoralongastreamallowshort-termuseattimeswhenthebanksaredryandstable.Fencingagrazingunitoftheflood-plainadjacenttoastreameliminatesflooddamagetofencesandseparatesuplandfromlowlandsoils.Rotationalgrazingsystemstoallowflashgrazingofsensitiveareas,followedbyextendedrest,willimprovethedensityandcoverofgrasses.Provideaccesslaneswithstablefootingtothewatersourcesforlivestockdrinking.Locatesalt,mineralandbackrubsawayfromthewater.Removeanytreesnearthewaterwherelivestockcongregateandprovideshadeawayfromthewaterifneeded.
Grazing Management Changes for Water Quality
References:Paine,L.K.andJ.Lyons.1999.Managedgrazingandstreamecosystems.StreamsideGrazingWorkshop,September8-9,1999,EagleBluffCenter,Lanesboro,Minn.Sovell,L.,A.B.Vondracek,J.A.Frost,andK.G.Mumford.2000.Impactsofrotationalgrazingandriparianbuffersonphysicochemicalandbiologicalcharacteristicsofsouth-easternMinnesota,USA,streams.EnvironmentalManage.26(6):629-641.Haan,M.,J.Russell,D.Morrical,D.Strohbehn,W.Powers,J.Kovar.2006.Effectsofgrazingmanagementonpasturechar-acteristicsaffectingsedimentandphosphoruspollutioninpasturestreams(ProgressReport).A.S.LeafletR2122.IowaStateUniversityAnimalIndustryReport2006,IowaStateUniv.,Ames.http://www.ans.iastate.edu/report/air/2006pdf/R2122.pdf
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Fencing the Pond
OverviewPondsdotthelandscapeovermuchofKansasandareimpor-tantsourcesoflivestockwater.Manyserveotherfunctions,suchasrunoffretentionandhabitatforaquaticlife.Mostpondslosesomeusefulnessovertimeduetoerosionandsedi-mentation.Usefulpondlifeisextendedbyfencingcompletelyaroundthepondtorestrictlivestockaccess.Afencedpondwillrequireinstallationofapipelinethroughthedamtoatank,constructionofanaccessramp,orsomeothermeansofsupplyingwatertolivestock,suchaspumping.
Advantages •Minimizeserosionofpondshorelinesanddamfaces •Reducessedimentdepositioninreservoir •Extendsusefullifeofthepond •Improvesqualityofwaterforlivestockandaquaticlife •Betterwildlifehabitatalongtheshoreline •Preventscattlefromgettingoniceduringwinter
andfallingintopond •Eliminatesanimaltrailsintheemergencyspillway(which
leadtospillwayerosionandpossiblefailure) •Eliminatesorminimizesfecaloraltransmissionofdis-
easesthroughwaterLimitations •Additionalcostforfenceconstruction;numerouscorners
androughterrainaddtothecost
132
Pond
EmergencySpillway
Stock TankOutside Fence
Dam
Corrugated metalpipe with 1-inch holes.Pipe �lled with coarsegravel
Pipe with antiseep collars
Extended pipe above water levelto show location of intake
Riser with1/4-inch holes
6-inch concrete baseAntiseep collar
Core �ll
Controlvalve
Cap connection forpossible future uses
Valve access
Union
Trough
Bell tile around valve andpipe for suitable housing
Ground surface
Earth Dam
133
Fencing the Pond
Design ConsiderationsThedecisiontoconstructafencearoundalivestockwaterpondrequiresplanning.Considerhowwatercanbeprovidedtolivestockfromthepondonceitisfenced.Mostcommonly,apipelineisinstalledunderanewdamduringconstructionoraroundorthroughanexistingdamasaretrofit,allowingwatertoflowbygravitypressuretoatankorwatererbelowthedam.Constructionofanaccesslaneorramptotheedgeofthereservoirisanotheroption.Useofanosepumpisalsoaconsideration.Thefencinglayoutshouldprovideasuitablebufferbetweentheedgeofthereservoirandthegrazedpastureoutsidethefence.Atleast30feetofbufferisneededtofilteroutsedi-mentandothermaterials.Thesebuffersarepotentialareasforground-nestingbirds;ifbuffersaremadetoonarrow,theybecomeeasyhuntingzonesforpredatoryanimals.Testingthelayoutofapondfencewithelectricfencingforayearortwomayrevealflawsinthedesign.Astandardfenceoffourbarbedwiresandpostsat16-20footintervalsisadequateinmostsituations.Minimizingthenum-berofsharpcorners,especiallyonsteeperslopes,willreducepotentialerosionfromcattletrailing.Installinggatesattwolocationswillallowaccessforflashgrazingifneededtomanagethevegetationandprovideemergencyaccesstothereservoirforlivestockandfirecontrolequipment.
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Supplementary Materials
136
Water Volume Requirements for Livestock (gal./day)
*Agoodruleofthumbisthatahorseneedsatleastagallonofwaterper100lbsofbodyweight.Foryouraveragehorse,thisequals10gallonsaday.Waterrequirementsvarygreatlyaccordingtotheweatherandthelevelofworkthatthehorseisdoing.Forinstance,ifyourhorseisexercisinginhot,humidweather,hemayneed2-4timestheminimumamount.
Average lbs. water Air Temperature (gal./day) /lb. dry feed 40˚F 60˚F 80˚F
Cowsdryandbred 6-15winteringpregnant 6.0 7.4nursing 11-18 11.4 14.5 17.9dairy 15-30 30-40
Feeders 4-15calf 4-5 9-10smallcalves 0.6-0.84largecalves 0.42-0.66growingcattle@600lb. 3-8 8-13growingcattle@800lb. 6.3 7.4 10.6finishingcattle@800lb. 7.3 9.1 12.3feedlotcattle@1,000lb. 8-13 14-21beef 8-12 20-25
Bulls 7-19 8.7 10.8 14.5Sheep and Goats 2-3 3-4Llamas 5Horses* 10-15 20-25Swine 6-8 8-12
Sources:CummingsSchoolofVeterinaryMedicine.2006.Dehydrationandelectrolytelossesinthesporthorse.TuftsUniversity.,Medford,Mass. http://www.tufts.edu/vet/sports/dehydration.html#req Guyer,P.1977.Beefcattlenutrition.LincolnNebGuide8.Univ.ofNebraska,Lincoln.Landefeld,M.andJ.Bettinger.2002.Livestockwaterdevelopment.FactSheetANR-12-02.OhioStateUniv.Extension.,Columbus,Ohio.MidwestPlanService.1975.Privatewatersystemshandbook,4thedition,MWPS-14,Ames,Iowa.NationalResearchCouncil.1996.Nutrientrequirementsforbeefcattle,7thedition.NationalAcademyPress,Washington,DC.
Increased temperature, salt, and protein increase water needs
137
Thelocationofthewateringsitedeterminesherdingbehav-ioranddrinkingpatterns.Herearesomesuggestedwateringlocations: •In each pasture:Animalstendtodrinkoneatatimeif
waterisprovidedinpastures10acresorlessinsize.Aflowrateof2-6gallonperminutewillkeepa25-35gallontankfull.Changethetanklocationalongthefencelinetoallowsodtorecoverinformerwateringareas.Atroughineachpasturewillkeepanimalsandmanureonthegrassandoutofthelanes.
•Away from feed, minerals and shade:Distributetheseitemsthroughthepasture.Thiswilldiscourageloiteringinoneareaanddispersegrazing.Providewateroutsideofthebarnorlivestockmaystayinthebarnonhotdaysandnotpastureatall.
Siting Watering Facilities
•More than 100 feet from open water:Animalsconcen-tratemanureandmudatwateringsites.Thiscancre-ate“hotspots”forerosionandpollutedrunoff.Leaveahealthybufferbetweenwateringsitesandwatercourses.
•Less than 500 feet between water sources:Ifwaterisfarawayorlocatedoutsidethepasture,thenanimalswilltravelasaherdtothewateranddrinkasaherd.Inaherdsituation,livestockwillgrazeunevenly,concentrateinthewateringarea,and“boss”animalsmaypreventtimidani-malsfromdrinking.Ifthissituationcan’tbeavoided,besuretohaveenoughspaceatthewatersourcefor10per-centoftheherdtodrinkatanytime.Eachdrinkingani-malshouldhave20inchesofspaceatacirculartankand30inchesatastraighttank.
Reprinted from: OregonAssociationofConservationDistricts.2006.Manag-ingstockwaterinpasturesandstreamsideareas.TualatinSoilandWaterConservationDistrict,Hillsboro.http://www.oacd.org/factsheet_09.html
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Calculating Tank Capacity
Tocalculatecapacityofatank,usetheformulabelowthatmostcloselyresemblestheshape(top)ofyourtank.
Convertallmeasurementstoinches!
Circle
πxradius2xwaterdepth=gallons 231
Example:π=3.14Radius=42”Waterdepth=24”
3.14x42”x24”= 132,935=575gallons 231 231
Rectangle lengthxwidthxwaterdepth=gallons 231
Example:Length=84”Width=26”Waterdepth=24“
84”x26”x24”=52,416=227gallons 231 231
Available WaterGallonsofwaterperinchcanbeimportantiflivestockcan-notreachthebottomofthetankandyouneedtoknowtheamountofwateravailableforthem.Itisalsoimportantifthetankispartiallyemptyandyouneedtoknowtheamountremaininginthetank.
totaltankcapacity(gallons)=gallons/inch depth.
Example:Tankcapacity=575gallonsTankdepth=24”
575=23.9gallons/inch24
Adapted from:Landefeld,M.andJ.Bettinger.2002.Livestockwaterdevelopment.FactSheetANR-12-02.OhioStateUniv.Ext.,Columbus.
length widt
h
radius
139
140
141
Pipe Size (inches) 1/2 3/4 1 1 1/4 1 1/2 2 2 1/2
OD (inches) 0.840 1.050 1.315 1.660 1.900 2.375 2.875
ID (inches) 0.622 0.824 1.049 1.380 1.610 2.067 2.469
Volume (gal/100’) 1.578 2.770 4.490 7.770 10.576 17.432 24.871
Wall Thickness 0.109 0.133 0.133 0.140 0.145 0.154 0.203
Flow Rate (gpm) friction loss in
psi/ 100 ft
friction loss
in ft/ 100 ft
velocity in the
pipe in ft/sec
friction loss in
psi/ 100 ft
friction loss
in ft/ 100 ft
velocity in the
pipe in ft/sec
friction loss in
psi/ 100 ft
friction loss
in ft/ 100 ft
velocity in the
pipe in ft/sec
friction loss in
psi/ 100 ft
friction loss
in ft/ 100 ft
velocity in the
pipe in ft/sec
friction loss in
psi/ 100 ft
friction loss
in ft/ 100 ft
velocity in the
pipe in ft/sec
friction loss in
psi/ 100 ft
friction loss
in ft/ 100 ft
velocity in the
pipe in ft/sec
friction loss in
psi/ 100 ft
friction loss
in ft/ 100 ft
velocity in the
pipe in ft/sec
2 1.76 4.07 2.11 0.45 1.03 1.20 0.14 0.32 0.74 0.04 0.08 0.43 0.02 0.04 0.32 0.01 0.01 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.13
4 6.35 14.67 4.22 1.62 3.73 2.41 0.50 1.15 1.48 0.13 0.30 0.86 0.06 0.14 0.63 0.02 0.04 0.38 0.01 0.02 0.27
6 13.45 31.05 6.34 3.42 7.89 3.61 1.06 2.44 2.23 0.28 0.64 1.29 0.13 0.30 0.95 0.04 0.09 0.57 0.02 0.04 0.40
8 5.82 13.44 4.81 1.80 4.15 2.97 0.47 1.09 1.72 0.22 0.51 1.26 0.07 0.15 0.76 0.03 0.06 0.54
10 8.80 20.31 6.02 2.72 6.27 3.71 0.71 1.65 2.15 0.34 0.78 1.58 0.10 0.23 0.96 0.04 0.10 0.67
12 12.33 28.46 7.22 3.80 8.78 4.45 1.00 2.31 2.57 0.47 1.09 1.89 0.14 0.32 1.15 0.06 0.14 0.80
14 5.06 11.68 5.20 1.33 3.07 3.00 0.63 1.45 2.21 0.19 0.43 1.34 0.08 0.18 0.94
16 6.48 14.95 5.94 1.70 3.93 3.43 0.80 1.86 2.52 0.24 0.55 1.53 0.10 0.23 1.07
18 8.05 18.59 6.68 2.12 4.89 3.86 1.00 2.31 2.84 0.30 0.68 1.72 0.12 0.29 1.21
20 9.79 22.59 7.42 2.57 5.94 4.29 1.22 2.81 3.15 0.36 0.83 1.91 0.15 0.35 1.34
22 11.68 26.95 8.17 3.07 7.09 4.72 1.45 3.35 3.47 0.43 0.99 2.10 0.18 0.42 1.47
24 3.61 8.33 5.15 1.70 3.93 3.78 0.50 1.16 2.29 0.21 0.49 1.61
26 4.18 9.66 5.58 1.97 4.56 4.10 0.58 1.35 2.49 0.25 0.57 1.74
28 4.80 11.07 6.01 2.26 5.23 4.41 0.67 1.55 2.68 0.28 0.65 1.88
30 5.45 12.58 6.44 2.57 5.94 4.73 0.76 1.76 2.87 0.32 0.74 2.01
32 6.14 14.18 6.86 2.90 6.69 5.04 0.86 1.98 3.06 0.36 0.83 2.14
34 6.87 15.86 7.29 3.24 7.49 5.36 0.96 2.22 3.25 0.40 0.93 2.28
36 7.64 17.63 7.72 3.60 8.32 5.67 1.07 2.46 3.44 0.45 1.04 2.41
38 8.44 19.48 8.15 3.98 9.20 5.99 1.18 2.72 3.63 0.50 1.15 2.55
40 9.28 21.42 5.58 4.38 10.11 6.30 1.30 2.99 3.82 0.55 1.26 2.68
42 10.16 23.45 9.01 4.79 11.07 6.62 1.42 3.28 4.02 0.60 1.38 2.81
44 5.45 12.57 7.09 1.61 3.72 4.30 0.68 1.57 3.02
46 5.67 13.10 7.25 1.68 3.88 4.40 0.71 1.63 3.08
48 6.14 14.17 7.56 1.82 4.20 4.59 0.77 1.77 3.22
50 6.62 15.28 7.88 1.96 4.53 4.78 0.83 1.90 3.35
142
Calculating Wet Well Capacity
Installationof½inchdiametercrushedstonecreatesapproximately35%voidspacethatwouldprovideabout3gallonsofadditionalwaterstorageforeachcubicfootofcrushedstone.
•Assumeswellgraded½crushedlimestonerockgravelbackfill.•Assumes35%voidsincrushedrockgravelbackfill.
Gravel Backfill (ft.2) Volume Per 100 Lin. Ft.(ft.3) Volume of Water (gal.)1(12X12) 35 2622(12X24) 70 5243(12X36) 105 7854(12X48) 140 1,047
Pipe and Screen Diameter (in.) Volume Per 100 Lin. Ft. (ft.3) Volume of Water Storage (gal.)4 9 67.36 20 149.68 35 261.8
12 79 590.924 314 2,348.7
143
Knowingtherequirementsrelatedtobuilding,removing,oralteringfederalandstatewaters(includingwetlands)couldsavetimeandmoney.Producerscanavoiddelaysassociatedwithinvestigations,lengthyprocessingprocedures,orpossiblelitigation.Itmayalsohelpreducethepotentialforaregis-teredpubliccomplaintorcivillawsuit,aswellassavetaxpayerdollars,whileprotectingbeneficialusesofstatewatersforyourselfandcitizensofKansasandborderstates.Permitsshouldbesecuredpriortoconstructiontoavoidcostlyreworkoradditionalpermitfees.Itisrecommendedthatyoustartthepermitapplicationprocesswellinadvanceofyouranticipatedconstructionstartdate.A30-daycom-mentperiodisrequired,ataminimum,fornotificationofinterestedandconcernedagenciesandorganizations.Thetotaltimetoprocessanapplicationcanbeseveralmonths.SeveralagenciespermitwaterdevelopmentinKansas.Youwillneedtoobtainpermitsseperatelyfromeachpermittingagency.Belowisasummaryofthevariouspermittingagencyrequirements.Thisisnotanexhaustivelisting,andregulationsaresubjecttochange.Foreachagency,contactinformationisprovidedtodirectyoutopermitregulations,downloadablepermitformsand/oragencycontactinformation.Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Water ResourcesThewaterstructuresprogramregulatesmanmadestructuresaffectingtheflowsandoverflowsofanystreambyensuring,withinlimitsimposedbylawsandcourts,thatsuchstructuresareproperlyplanned,constructed,operatedandmaintainedfortheirauthorizedpurposeswithoutadverselyaffectingthe
Permits in Kansas
environment,publichealthandwelfare,andpublicandprivateproperty.Examplesofactivitiesthatareregulatedbythewaterstruc-turesprograminclude:construction,modification,orrepairofdams,bridges,culverts,weirs,low-watercrossings,low-headdams,intakeandoutfallstructures,boatramps,pipelinesandcablecrossings,grassedwaterways,leveesalongstreams,placementoffillwithinthefloodplain,andgravel/sanddredging.YouwillnotneedadampermitfromKDAifyourdam: •islessthan25feetinheight,andhasatotalcapacityof
lessthan50acrefeetofwateratthetopofthedam,or •islessthan6feetinheight.Yourdammaystillneedapermitasastreamobstruction(aswouldanyotherprojectlocatedinastreamchannel)ifthewatercourseisdefinedasastreambyKDA’schiefengi-neer.Generallyspeaking,ineasternKansasawatercourseisastreamforregulatorypurposesifthedrainageareaupstreamoftheprojectlocationismorethan240acres,whileincentralKansasthelimitis320acresandinwesternKansasthelimitis640acres.ItisrecommendedthatyouaskKDAforadeterminationaboutyourplannedprojecttoconfirmwhetherornotapermitisneeded.(785)296-3710
144
Beforedevelopingasourceoflivestockwater,youmayneedapermittoappropriatewaterforstockwateringpurposesaccord-ingtostatelaw.Ifyouplantowateryourlivestockfromapondandyouplantoimpoundmorethan15acre-feetofwater,approvalofanapplicationwillbenecessarybeforeconstructionbegins.Ifyouplantousegroundwaterinaconfinedfeedlotwithacapacityofmorethan1,000headofcattleorthatusesmorethan15acre-feetofwaterperyearfordairycattleorconfinedlivestockotherthancattle,thenyouneedtoobtainapermittoappropriatewaterbeforeconstructingthefacility.Ifyouplantowaterlivestockinapastureorinaconfinedfeedlotwithacapacityoflessthan1,000headofcattle,awaterappro-priationpermitisnotrequiredbecausetheusesareconsideredtobedomestic.http://www.ksda.govU.S. Army Corps of EngineersTheCorpsofEngineersrequiresthatpermitsbeobtainedtomeetrequirementsofSection10oftheRiversandHarborsActof1899andSection404oftheCleanWaterAct.Sec-tion404regulatesdischargeofdredgedorfillmaterialinallwatersoftheUnitedStates,includingrivers,streams,lakesandwetlands.Thisincludesworksuchassitedevelopmentfills,causewaysorroadfills,damsanddikes,artificialislands,bankstabilization(riprap,seawallsandbreakwaters)levees,landfills,fishattractors,mechanizedclearingofwetlands,pipelineandcablecrossings,grassedwaterways,otherchannelmodifications,andcertainexcavationactivities.Contactthecorpstodetermineifyourprojectrequiresa404permit.
Workin,on,over,andunderanavigablebodyofwateralsorequiresapermitthroughSection10oftheRiversandHar-borsAct.Examplesarebridgeconstruction,channelstraight-ening,andwetlanddraining.Contactthecorpstodetermineifyourprojectimpactsnavigablewater.http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/regulatory/activities%20requiring%20permits%20fact%20sheet.pdf(816)839-3990 (KansasCityDistrict)Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment
BeforeaCorpsofEngineers404permitisissued,aSection401“WaterQualityCertification”isrequiredfromKDHEtoverifythattheprojectisincompliancewiththestatewaterqualitystandards.ThispermitisautomaticallyfiledwhenaSection404permitisrequested.Thecertificationmustbeissuedbythestatebeforethecorpswillissueitspermit.Thedepartmentmakesadeterminationoftheprojectedimpactonwaterqualityresultingfromtheproposedactionandmayapprovetheaction,approveitwithmodifications,ordenytheactionbasedonprojectedwaterqualityimpacts.KDHEalsorequiresawaterqualityprotectionplantoensurethatwaterqualityisnotimpairedduringconstruction.Thismustbepostedattheconstructionsiteduringconstruction.http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/h20ql2/mf2329.pdfhttp://www.kdheks.gov/nps/resources/nwpwqppfrm.pdf(785)296-0075
Permits in Kansas
145
Local code regulation and permitsManymunicipalities,counties,andwatershedprotectionareasrequirepermittingandreportingofwaterdevelopments.Checkwiththelocalcountyhealthdepartment,environmen-talresourcesdepartment,orcodeenforcementofficetodeter-minewhatregulationspertaintoyoursite.Kansas One-Call (1-800-DIG-SAFE)“KansasOne-Call”istheundergroundutilitynotificationcenterforthestateofKansas.Throughthiscenterapersoncannotifyoperatorsofundergroundfacilitiesofaproposedexcavationtorequestthatmembercompaniesmarktheirundergroundfacilities.Ifexcavationactivitiesaccidentallyseveropticfiberlinesorotherutilities,repaircostscanbeexpensive.CallBEFOREyoudig.KansasOne-Callservicepromotespublicsafety,protectsvitalutilityservicesandsafeguardsagainstpropertyandenvironmentaldamage.http://www.kansasonecall.com/(800)344-7233Other PermitsConfinedlivestockrequirepermitsotherthanthoselistedabove.Formoreinformation,review:http://www.kdheks.gov/feedlots
Permits in Kansas
146
Adams,E.1994.Ripariangrazing.EB1775.Wash.StateUniv.Ext.,Pullman.http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1775/eb1775.htmlAgric.andAgri-FoodCanada.undated.Solar-poweredwaterpumpingsystemsforlivestockwatering.Agric.andAgri-FoodCanada,Toronto.http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/facts/solar.pdfAlbertaAgric.,Food,andRuralDevelopment.rev.2003.Pas-turewatersystemsforlivestock.Agri-factsAgdex400/716-3.AlbertaAgric.,Food,andRuralDevelopment,Edmonton.http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex644?opendocumentBartlett,B.1996.WateringSystemsforGrazingLivestock.218.GreatLakesBasinGrazingNetworkandMich.StateUniv.Ext.,EastLansing.Bellows,B.2003.Managedgrazinginriparianareas:live-stocksystemsguide.IP223/234.AppropriateTech.TransferforRuralAreas,Fayetteville.http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/PDF/managedgraze.pdfBlanchet,K.,H.MoeshnigandJ.DeJong-Huges.rev.2003.Grazingsystemsplanningguide.BU-07606-S.Univ.ofMinn.Ext.Serv.,St.Paul.http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/components/DI7606.pdfBrown,L.2006.Sourcesforlivestockwater.OrderNo.590303-1.BritishColumbiaMinistryofAgric.andFood,Abbottsford.http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/500series/590303-1.pdf
Helpful Resources
Buchanan,B.undated.Tipsonhowtoselectapasturewater-ingsystem.AlbertaAgric.,FoodandRuralDevelopment,Leduc.http://www.quantumlynx.com/water/vol9no2/story6.htmBurns,R.,andM.Buschermohle.2000.Selectionofalterna-tivelivestockwateringsystems.PB1641.Univ.Tenn.Agric.Ext.Serv.,Knoxville.http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/pbfiles/PB1641.pdfDalrymple,R.1998.Waterpointsinroatationalstocking:Part.1of3.ForageLeaderMagazine,Fall1998,Vol.3(3).http://www.noble.org/Ag/Livestock/Waterpoint/PrintLayout_1_54657_54657.htmlDavis,R.2005.Savemoneyandtime.KansasAllianceforWetlandsandStreams,McPherson.http://www.kaws.org/PDF/Save%20Money%20and%20Time_10.21.05.pdfDept.ofAgricultureandAquaculture.undated.Livestockwateringsystemsforpasture.NewBrunswickAgriculture,FisheriesandAquaculture,Fredericton.http://www.gnb.ca/0173/30/0173300014-e.aspHenning,F.,M.RisseandW.Segars.1998.Hydraulicramsforoff-streamlivestockwatering.Univ.ofGeorgiaCoop.Ext.Serv.,Athens.http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/publications/rampump3.pdf#search=%22rampump3%22Hilliard,C.andS.Reedyk(eds)Prairiewaterresources.SaskatchewanResearchCouncil,Saskatoon,SKhttp://www.quantumlynx.com/water/vol15no1/pwn_hm.htmlHilliard,C.andS.Reedyk.rev.2003.Alternativestodirectaccesslivestockwatering.AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada,Toronto.http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/directac_e.htm
147
Landefeld,M.andJ.Bettinger.2002.Livestockwaterdevel-opment.Ext.FactsheetANR-12-02.OhioStateUniv.Ext.,Columbus.http://ohioline.osu.edu/anr-fact/pdf/0012.pdfMarsh,L.2001.Pumpingwaterfromremotelocationsforlivestockwatering.VirginiaCoop.Ext.Pub.No.442-755.VirginiaPolytechnicInstituteandStateUniv.,Petersburg.http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/bse/442-755/442-755.htmlMcCormack,K.rev.2001.Watermanagementguide:forlive-stockproduction,waterqualityandwildlifehabitat.OntarioCattlemen’sAssoc.andAgric.AdaptationCouncil,Guelph.McIver,S.2004.Usingoff-streamwatersourcesasaben-eficialmanagementpracticeinriparianareas–aliteraturereview.AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadaPrairieFarmRehabilitationAdministration,Toronto.http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/land/OffStreamWatering_e.pdfMorris,M.andV.Lynne.2002.Solar-poweredlivestockwateringsystems.LivestockTech.Note.IP217.AppropriateTech.TransferforRuralAreas,Fayetteville.http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/PDF/solarlswater.pdfNorthCarolinaDivisionofSoilandWaterConservation.undated.Pasturemanagementcattleexclusionfromcreeks,streamsandrivers.NorthCarolinaDept.ofEnvironmentalandNaturalResources,Raleigh.http://www.enr.state.nc.us/dswc/pages/cattle&livestock.htmlPfost,D.,J.Gerrish,M.DavisandM.Kennedy.2003.Pumpsandwateringsystemsformanagedbeefgrazing.EQ380.Univ.Missouri.Ext.,Columbia.http://muextension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/envqual/eq0380.pdf
Powell,G.M.andH.George.2006.Alternativelivestockwatering:coveredconcretewaterer.MF2737.Kans.StateUniv.Agr.Exp.Sta.andCoop.Ext.,Manhattan.Ruhl,S.,J.Overmoyer,D.Barker,andL.Brown.undated.Usinggeotextilefabricinlivestockoperations.FactsheetAEX-304-97.OhioStateUniv.,Columbus.http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0304.htmlSheffield,R.undated.Developingoff-streamwatersources.NorthCarolinaStateUniv.Coop.Ext.,Raleigh.http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/manure/cattle/developosws.pdfStone,R.andS.Clarke.2004.Alternativelivestockwateringsystems.Factsheet04-027.OntarioMinistryofAgric.andFood,Toronto.http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/04-027.htmSurber,G.,K.WilliamsandM.Manoukian.2005.Drink-ingwaterqualityforbeefcattle:anenvironmentfriendly&productionmanagementenhancementtechnique.AnimalandRangeSciences,ExtensionService,MontanaStateUniv.,Bozeman.http://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/Articles/NatResourc/Drinking%20Water%20Quality%20for%20Beef%20Cattle.pdfTurner,L.1997.Usinggeotextilesforfeedingandtrafficsur-faces.AEN-79.Univ.ofKentuckyCoop.Ext.Serv.,Frankfort.http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/aen/aen79/aen79.pdfUndersander,D.andB.Pillsbury.1999.Grazingstreamsidepastures.A3699.Univ.ofWisconsinExt.,Madison.http://s142412519.onlinehome.us/uw/pdfs/A3699.PDFWells,G.1995.Wateringsystemsforgrazinglivestock.PM-1604.IowaStateUniv.,Ames.http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1604.pdf
148
Contributors
hardened surface access
p.101 Balch,Phil TheWatershedInstitute
windmill p.69 Blocksome,Carol
KSUExtension-Agronomy
horizontal well p.21 Haag,Dennis TetraTech,Inc.water harvesting p.37 Haag,Dennis TetraTech,Inc.
solar power p.55 Herschel,George
KSUExtension-KCARE
bottomless tank p.109 Herschel,George
KSUExtension-KCARE
concrete waterer p.93 Herschel,George
KSUExtension-KCARE
super-insulated waterer
p.105 Herschel,George
KSUExtension-KCARE
wet well p.27 Herschel,George
KSUExtension-KCARE
fiberglass or galvanized tank
p.117 Howell,Mary KansasRuralCenter
hardened mat p.123 Howell,Mary KansasRuralCenterhauled water p.49 Howell,Mary KansasRuralCenterwater storage tank p.87 Howell,Mary KansasRuralCenterdeveloped spring p.17 Jost,Jerry KansasRuralCenterstream p.9 Kirkham,Dale KansasRuralCenterpond and pit p.13 Kirkham,Dale KansasRuralCenteranimal activated pumping system
p.73 Kirkham,Dale KansasRuralCenter
limited access watering points
p.97 Kirkham,Dale KansasRuralCenter
fencing the pond p.131 Kirkham,Dale KansasRuralCenter
grazing manage-ment changes for water quality
p.127 Kirkham,Dale KansasRuralCenter
tire tank p.113 Kirkham,Dale KansasRuralCenterdrilled well p.31 Powell,Morgan KSUExtension-
BAEpump p.59 Powell,Morgan KSUExtension-
BAEpipeline network from off-site water source
p.83 Powell,Morgan KSUExtension-BAE
water powered pump
p.77 Powell,Morgan KSUExtension-BAE
wind powered air pressure system
p.65 Powell,Morgan KSUExtension-BAE
rural water district p.45 Powell,Morgan KSUExtension-BAE
KSU–KansasStateUniversity
BAE–DepartmentofBiologicalandAgriculturalEngineering
KCARE–KansasCenterforAgriculturalResourcesandtheEnvironment
149
Photo Credits Design Credits
BrentWoods NRCS-SouthDakota p.72CarolBlocksome KSUExtension-
Agronomyp.FrontCover,8,12,44,48,53,58,76,100,108
DaleKirkham KansasRuralCenter p.86HerschelGeorge KSUExtension-KCARE p.7,26,64,135JerryJost KansasRuralCenter p.2,3,4,5,16,91,112,
116,126,130MaryHowell KansasRuralCenter p.4,5,96MorganPowell KSUExtension-BAE p.36,68StacieMinson KSUExtension-KCARE p.122WaterFick KSUExtension-
Agronomyp.104,121
Snyder&Asso-ciatesConsultingEngineers
p.20
ArtKohl AgriculturalProducer p.30
ChristopherMiceli TetraTech,Inc. p.38,56,98,114MorganPowellandPatHackenberg
KSUExtension-BAEKSUExtension-Communications
p.14,18,19,22,28,32,60,66,70,74,78,80,82,88,94,106,110,115,124,132
Brandnamesappearinginthispublicationareforproductidentificationpurposesonly.Noendorsementisintended,noriscriticismimpliedofsimilarproductsnotmentioned.
PublicationsfromKansasStateUniversityareavailableontheWorldWideWebat:www.oznet.ksu.edu
Contentsofthispublicationmaybefreelyreproducedforeducationalpurposes.Allotherrightsreserved.Ineachcase,creditCarolBlocksomeandMorganPowell,editors,WaterersandWateringSystems:AHandbookforLivestockProducersandLandowners,
KansasStateUniversity,January,2007.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
S-147 January,2007
K-StateResearchandExtensionisanequalopportunityproviderandemployer.IssuedinfurtheranceofCooperativeExtensionWork,ActsofMay8andJune30,1914,asamended.KansasStateUniversity,CountyExtensionCouncils,ExtensionDistricts,andUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgricultureCooperating,FredA.Cholick,Director.