​Water Efficiency Tips for Your Farm

Keeping water use efficient saves money and ensures your farm runs smoothly.

Here are some practical steps:

Monitor water usage and indicators of water leaks

• Check farm meters and pressure gauges regularly.
• Listen to pumps (e.g., DOSATRON): if they run constantly, it could indicate a leak on the property.
• Watch for pressure drops in showers or kitchens.
• Use water flow indicators to detect abnormal flow.
• Install app-connected electronic flow meters (e.g., Levno, Halo).

Ways to reduce usage and save

Use High-Pressure Nozzles

• Consider dung busters or similar systems to cut water use and cleaning time.

Buffer tanks with pressure pumps maintain steady water pressure.

• Prevent pressure drops and keep troughs full.
• Reduce trough damage and float valve breakages.
• A constantly running pump can indicate a leak.
• Saves money on repairs and water loss.
• Should pay for itself with what you save on leaks and repair costs

Install Isolation Valves

• Divide the farm into sections for easier leak detection.
• Close off sections to stop water waste until repairs are done.

Proper installation and maintenance of Troughs

• Install troughs level and avoid overfilling.
• Check water lines and float valves regularly. (Maintain water level 10cm below rim)
• Seal cracks and breaks promptly.
• Use durable float valves (stainless steel lasts longer).

Train Staff

• Avoid leaving taps or pipes running.
• Report leaks or fix them immediately (asap)
• Watch for signs of water leaks, like green patches or puddles in summer.
• Use water sparingly, use only what is needed

Recycle/Reuse Water

• Use settled water from ponds for yard cleaning (filter if needed).
• Reuse pre-cooler water for cleaning.
• Harvest rainwater for yard wash-down.
• Use effluent pond water for irrigation.

Tips on how to find hard-to-find water leaks

Look in places where a leak won’t be easy to pick up, like:

• stream crossings,
• close to wells (water can be running directly into old wells, not showing evidence above ground)
• drainage outlets (water could be running into drainage lines without showing above ground)
• normally, in wet areas, the water leak could be adding to these areas.
• where lines go through dense vegetation. And lines where you don’t go a lot. (Far edges of the farm or very back of paddock). Remote paddocks

In Drought

• Seek help from aid organisations.
• Dry off or cull cows if feed and water run short.
• Send cattle to processing plants