Share thisToday’s watering systems have many unique and specific design criteria which other plumbing systems do not have. This article will explain those criteria and outline the choices that are available.
Automated watering has been widely accepted for use with rabbits, dogs, and non-human primates for decades. In the early 1970s the first reliable drinking valves for mice and rats were introduced and steadily gained acceptance. With the advent of ventilated caging in the mid-to-late 1990s, the requirement for a reliable inside-the-cage drinking valve pushed the designs even further.
Watering System Design
Over the past 30 years, watering system design has made huge strides towards greater reliability and controlled water quality. From the simple, plastic systems of the 1970s, the state of the art has progressed to sophisticated, stainless steel piping systems incorporating computer controlled flushing.
Water Purification
It should be assumed that a facility?s water supply is contaminated. Municipalities have water treatment processes for potable water, but they cannot be relied upon for animal drinking water. Incoming water quality will change with the seasons. Rainy seasons induce more runoff which introduces more animal waste and pesticides. Dry seasons increase the concentration of contaminants. Facilities must take responsibility for cleaning up incoming water before it is supplied to the animals.
The function of animal watering systems is simple: water flows from the building water supply through a purification process and then through a header system into each animal holding room. From there the water flows into the caging manifolds which have drinking valves attached. Animals operate the valves by biting or licking the valve stem which releases water to drink.