What does the germ count in my water analysis mean?

How good is the drinking water on your farm? Understand the germ count

The quality of drinking water is essential for animal health and performance. One of the most important indicators for this is the germ count: a measure of the number of bacteria in water. An increased germ count can indicate biofilm, contamination or insufficient cleaning of pipes and drinking troughs. In this blog we explain what the germ count means for cattle, pigs and poultry.

What is the germ count?

The germ count is the number of living, aerobic bacteria per millilitre of water (cfu/ml), measured after incubation at 22°C. It says nothing about specific pathogens, but does indicate whether the drinking water system is clean and allows bacterial growth. Regular checks help to identify problems at an early stage.

How do you notice that the germ count may be too high?

Even without measurements, you can sometimes suspect that the germ count in the drinking water is increased. Look for signals such as an unusual odour in the water, a layer of slime or green deposits in the drinking troughs or pipes, or drinking nipples that regularly become clogged. This often indicates biofilm formation, in which bacteria accumulate in the system. A water test can then provide clarity.

Limit values: established within the IKB chain organisation

The standards for the germ count are used within the quality systems of the chain, such as IKB Beef, IKB Pig, IKB Chicken and IKB Egg. These schemes have been drawn up by chain parties and sector organisations and are used as an assessment framework for drinking water research. The Animal Health Service (GD) carries out many of these analyses and uses the limit values ​​as included in these schemes.

E.coli: Cows and pigs: <10 cfu/ml, Calves and poultry: <1 cfu/ml

Why are there differences between animal species?

The limit values ​​differ per animal species because of:

• Drinking behaviour and water consumption
• Sensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in young animals
• Construction and hygiene of the drinking water system
• Presence of additives, such as acids or medicines

A second opinion of your water research?

Do you want certainty about the microbiological quality of your drinking water? Then send your most recent results for an assessment by our experienced microbiologists. Please note that this is an analysis of a sample at the drinking point. After all, this is the water that the animals also drink.

Try the Watter system without risk

Are you dealing with increased germ counts or do you have doubts about the water quality on your farm? With our clean water guarantee, you can use the Watter system on a five-month trial basis. If it turns out during the trial period that the drinking water does not meet the IKB limit values, you will receive the full trial amount back. This way, you can be sure that our approach works for your company – without any obligations.