‘Water hygiene awareness is growing, although it is not always a top priority.

Farmers assume too easily that standard treatments will remove and keep away the biofilm in the water system in their barns,’ believes Daisy Roijackers. ‘ Extra focus on biosecurity in the pig’s drinking water will definitely pay off.’

Continuously providing clean drinking water to pigs requires skill and dedication. Even if you have excellent quality drinking water on your pig farm, supplied by a water supplier or from your own well, that you test frequently. “Biofilm formation is a constant hazard in the water system of barns,” explains Daisy Roijackers, Intracare’s biosecurity manager. ‘Especially if all kinds of substrates like acids, nutritional additives or vaccines as feeding source for bacteria and virusses are added to the drinking water.’ That mix of germs protects itself by slime formation, which forms an impenetrable layer inside the pipe. This results in a biofilm from which germs can be released and end up in the intestinal tract of the animals. Especially in warmer environments such as the weaned piglet department, contaminated water lines can put considerable pressure on the gut health’. Using a biofilm generator, Roijackers studies cleaning methods for water lines under different conditions. In a setup with transparent tubes, any desired biofilm can be grown and built. She investigates what happens to the biofilm and how such a contamination hazard can be effectively removed.

‘CLEAN DRINKING WATER

PROMOTES HEALTH, WELFARE

AND PRODUCTION’

“Chlorine dioxide and acids do not clean, and peracetic acid or standard hydrogen peroxides do not reach the total water system. With Intra Hydrocare, an ultra-stabilised and slow-release hydrogen peroxide, such a biofilm disappears easily.” Starting each round with crystal clear water lines and keeping them clean is feasible, according to the biosecurity manager. In empty departments, putting a 2 to 3% solution of Intra Hydrocare on the lines for half a day and then flushing or circulating the solution for just a few hours will clean the entire drinking water system from start to end. ‘Do it consequently and simultaneously with cleaning and disinfection of the barns after each round,’ Roijackers tips. “The cleaning result cannot be seen in non-transparent water lines, fortunately we can determine the water quality. Our Intra Hydrocare Test strips allows farmers to easily check water cleanliness. “Because a risk factor is ruled out, the results can improve or remain at a consistently high level. It provides security.’

Weekly maintenance

Keeping pipes free of biofilm during a production cycle requires weekly maintenance. A short Intra Hydrocare cure is all you need. “The product is safe for animals, humans, and the environment, and a maintenance dose can be used without any problems”. According to Roijackers, keeping drinking water safety at the highest level, costs a fraction of for example, feed costs. ‘In addition, clean drinking water boosts animal health, animal welfare, and production.’ “Intra Hydrocare is the first product to be registered according to the new European BPR legislation for biocides for removing biofilm in water pipes in the biocide product group hydrogen peroxide”.

©copyright Varkens magazine

Text: JOS THELOSEN

Image: STUDIO VAN ASSENDELFT