There are several opportunities for contamination once water enters the barns and water lines, such as biofilms which can cause food safety and animal health issues. In addition, the water temperature in the water lines is usually the same as the barn temperature, which can contribute to bacterial growth. That’s why it’s important to test all water sources at least annually for bacterial contamination. As outlined in the On-Farm Food Safety Program, the objective is to have no more than 10 coliforms per 100mL of water and no faecal coliforms.

This video outlines the steps for taking a water sample – where to take the sample, how many to take, and how to do it correctly to ensure the most accurate results.