The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has compiled a new set of guidelines advising farmers what to do if their water supply is cut or interrupted.
The board argues that this move is especially important as temperatures fluctuate, which increases the likelihood of pipes bursting.
AHDB also references a survey from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which found that 85% of farms are drawing water from the public mains supply; however, private houses rather than farms get the most media attention.
The new guide has been compiled in collaboration with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and Water UK.
“When water supplies are interrupted on a livestock farm, time is critical. We wanted to help farmers by providing a guide with matters to consider before they run out of water, and when their supply is interrupted,” said Nicola Dunn, the AHDB water resources scientist who spearheaded the creation of the guidelines.
She added: “Farms may already have a plan in place, but if they haven’t there are simple steps you can take to make sure animals have access to the water they need.
“This is particularly relevant for businesses with lactating stock, where cows need between 60 to 100 litres of water per day, while sows and gilts may require 15 to 30 litres per day,” Dunn went on to say.
AHDB points out that, according to Defra statistics, almost a third of farms get their water via abstraction from watercourses, while a quarter take water from a borehole; these alternative methods of getting water may be available if there is an interruption to supplies. However, farmers should make sure that another supply is safe before using it.
“Following changes in water regulation, we’ve clarified the points of contact farmers have with what are now called water wholesalers – which supply your water – and retailers, to whom you pay your bill,” explained Dunn.
“As a livestock business on mains supply you can register as a ‘Category 4’ sensitive customer, so if your water is cut off the wholesaler is aware and can prioritise accordingly,” she concluded.
