QUALITY OF THE DRINKING WATER IN COW FARM USING POLLOSANO DEVICE

QUALITY OF THE DRINKING WATER

Sgoifo Rossi CA, Compiani R., Trapattoni G., Trevisan M., Lovato D., Grossi S.

Water is an essential element for life. Agriculture and animal husbandry represent two of the sectors with the greatest impact on water consumption, considering how this is the basis for the survival of both animals and plants. Due to its essential role and the high demands required, the water used in farming must respond to certain quantitative and qualitative characteristics that can influence the state of health and well-being of the animals and, consequently, their  production performance. The first necessary condition for its direct consumption, both in humans and animals, is healthiness; the absence of this parameter leads to its lack of suitability. There are then other characteristics that are taken into strong consideration in the evaluation of water quality, and are investigated through the analysis of microbiological, chemical-physical parameters and organoleptic indicators. The monitoring of these properties can be carried out through sampling and routine laboratory analyzes which confirm the qualitative requirements of

the water supplied to the animals or, in the case of non-compliance, determine the need for direct intervention through treatments. Depending on the type of contaminant and the characteristics

of the water, physical and chemical treatment methods can be used; in animal husbandry, disinfection with chlorine is mainly used due to the cost/benefit ratio.

On farms, 90% of the water supply sources are represented by company wells (M. Drigo et al., 2016), which are cheaper than aqueducts but do not guarantee a constant quality standard and often the quality of their water does not is monitored and is a vehicle for contaminants. In fact, groundwater is never pure but contains numerous molecules which are dissolved and which come from its natural path which includes contact with autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms, represented by bacteria, viruses, algae, protozoa and fungi and the dissolution of minerals (calcium, chromium, iron, iodine, fluorine, magnesium, potassium, sodium and zinc, etc.) coming from the rocks and soil it passes through.

Water plays a role of primary importance in both the animal and plant kingdoms as it is essential for the correct maintenance of vital functions.

To be considered drinkable, water must present some requirements established by specific regulations (Presidential Decree 236 of 24 May 1988 n° 236 and Legislative Decree 2 February 2001 n° 31), which report the maximum permissible concentrations (CMA) for the substances which they can be present

in water intended for human consumption: exceeding just one of the required parameters determines the non-potability of water. The limits are established taking into account the maximum daily intake over long periods, the nature of the contaminant and its possible toxicity.

As regards the livestock sector, EC regulation N°852/2004 establishes how the drinking water in animal production must be “drinkable or clean, in order to prevent contamination of the farmed species”. Clean water is defined by art. 2 of the regulation as“water that does not

contain microorganisms or harmful substances in quantities that directly or indirectly affect the health quality of food.However, since there are no specific standards at European level relating to the quality characteristics of drinking water for animals, reference is made to the drinkability characteristics reported in the Legislative Decree. 31/2001.

The qualitative characteristics include chemical/physical (nutritional/toxicological) and microbiological (health) aspects.

THEphysical parametersthey include colour, smell, flavor and clarity, aspects which, although not intimately linked to the hygienic and sanitary quality of the water, are a valid indicator for suitability for consumption. The water should in fact be clear and odorless. If, however, it appears cloudy, colored, foamy, or has strange odors, it is necessary to have it checked in order to avoid any potential dangers. The perception and appreciation or rejection of water in

Furthermore, in relation to its physical characteristics, they vary widely between animals of different species but also

between subjects of different weights and breeds. These differences are exacerbated and amplified enormously if the comparison is made between animals and humans.

ThepHhas an acceptable range between 6.5 and 8.5. Values lower than 6.5 (acid) or higher than 8.5 (alkaline), in addition to damaging the distribution system, can reduce the disinfection effect or compromise the solubility and digestibility of the reconstituted milk. Variations beyond these limits are also able to negatively influence production performance, rumen function, intestinal digestibility, renal function, bone tissue integrity and overall metabolism and therefore animal health.

Therehardnessrepresents the quantity of calcium carbonate present in 100 liters of water and is expressed in French degrees (F°). One French grade is equivalent to 10 grams of limestone per cubic meter of water. The water is considered very soft from 0 to 4 F°, soft from 5 to 8 F°, medium- hard from 9 to 12 F°, moderately hard from 13 to 18 F°, hard from 19 to 30 F°, very lasts above 30 F°. Hardness represents an important quality parameter of water. Deviations below 9°F and above 30°F can negatively affect water consumption and food intake but also on the digestibility of the diet and the bioavailability of the mineral and lipid component. It has in fact been highlighted that an excessive calcium content in water can cause, at the intestinal level, the lack of absorption of lipids due to the formation of calcium soaps which precipitate in the first part of the small intestine.

THETotal Dissolved Solidsthey represent the measurement of the total concentration of all inorganic substances dissolved in water. It involves calcium, magnesium, sodium (as bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate), manganese, iron, and other substances. Values lower than 1000 mg/L characterize excellent waters, while values higher than 3000 and 10000 respectively brackish and salty waters. If the value is high, over 3000 mg/L, adverse effects begin to appear, first on productive and reproductive performance and later also on the health of the animals. In fact, with increasing values  there is an increasing reduction in water and substance consumption and subsequent digestive and metabolic disorders.

Table 1: Guidelines for Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L – Nutrient Requirements of beef cattle, 2016)

< 1000Healthy
1000-2999Generally safe but capable of causing diarrhea in young animals
3000-4999Reduction of intake until refusal. Cause of diarrhea, digestive disorders and reduced performance
5000-6999Unsuitable for nursing and pregnant cows. To be used only in the absence of other supplies
7000Not to be used. Capable of compromising animal health

The concentration ofnitrites and nitrates, inorganic contaminants, is instead an indicator of bacterial contamination of groundwater, excessive fertilization, crop residues or industrial waste. Nitrates can be converted into nitrites (more toxic products) capable of binding blood hemoglobin and thus reducing the oxygenation capacity. At the gastric level they exert negative effects on the secretion and

blood supply of the mucosa. In the intestine they are instead rapidly absorbed by a passive mechanism and an enterohepatic cycle is activated. They are then eliminated via the kidneys. They also interfere with the metabolism of catecholamines by increasing the vasoactive effects, they cause disorders of the reproductive system and abortions, thyroid dysfunction, alteration of the metabolism of vitamins (in particular vitamin A), and indicate hepatic steatosis and renal alterations. The typical symptoms of nitrate/nitrite intoxication are linked to the transformation of hemoglobin into metamyoglobin and the consequent state of hypoxia with respiratory difficulty, cyanosis and even death of the subject.

Table 2: Guidelines for Nitrates (mg/L – Nutrient Requirements of beef cattle, 2016)

0-44Healthy
45-132Generally safe in the presence of balanced diets and with low levels of nitrates
133-220Harmful if consumed for long periods. Reduction in performance
221-660Unsuitable and capable of severely compromising health
≥661Highly harmful. Water not to be used and capable of causing death

The intake of waters with concentrations ofsulfateshigher than 1,000 mg/l (in particular those of magnesium and sodium) can cause gastrointestinal disorders in the body with a strong laxative effect and for this reason the recommended concentration is less than 500 mg/L. Concentrations between 800 and 1,000 mg/L are already capable of causing deficiencies of iron, manganese, copper, zinc and vitamin B, with consequent reduction in growth, fertility and immune response.

The presence ofchloridesabove 250 mg/l it can be of geological origin or derive from chlorination errors and gives the water an unpleasant odor and taste capable of reducing consumption and compromising performance and ruminal and digestive balance. Me too’hydrogen sulfide, easily recognizable by its characteristic unpleasant odor, can reduce water consumption if the water containing it is optimal in other chemical-microbiological aspects.

THEheavy metals(cadmium, chromium, lead, arsenic, mercury, nickel, etc.), inorganic compounds potentially present in water, must be investigated with particular attention in consideration of their high level of toxicity. The permitted concentration threshold is therefore very low as even at very low concentrations they can be toxic as in the case of cadmium, mercury and arsenic.

Table 3: Maximum guide values   for heavy metals (mg/L – Nutrient Requirements of beef cattle, 2016)

Zinc5.0
Boron5.0
Fluorine3.0
Cobalt1.0
Copper1.0
Aluminum0.5
Nickel0.25
Vanadium0.1
Chrome0.1
Arsenic0.05
Selenium0.05
Manganese0.05
Lead0.015
Mercury0.010
Cadmium0.005

Then there are elements which, although not toxic, even if present at high levels, can interfere with production such as, for example, iron whose effects on the color of meat have been widely and long recognized (Sgoifo Rossi, 2005).

Themicrobiological characteristicsof drinking water on farms are fundamental for zootechnical results and animal well-being as they often underlie clinical but in particular sub-clinical problems affecting the apparatus, primarily the digestive system, but also the respiratory, urogenital and reproductive system (Enne et al ., 2006).

There is a variety of microorganisms that can be contained and/or transported with water. In the presence of supply from the company well, an extremely frequent condition on farms, a high microbial load can be synonymous with direct contamination of the aquifer (for example coliforms, Klebsiella, Enterobacter) or contamination that comes from outside the aquifer, for example poor insulation of the well or due to breakages in the water network. The water should not contain pathogenic microorganisms and in particular Coliforms and Staphylococci,

Salmonella, Enteroviruses, fecal Streptococci and Clostridia. For adult cattle and referring to 100  ml of water, some authors propose that up to 15 total coliforms, up to 10 fecal coliforms and up to 30 fecal streptococci are acceptable.

It is therefore complex in animal husbandry to guarantee the maintenance of a qualitative and hygienic-sanitary standard of water since the majority of production realities are

supplies from artesian wells, except through the specific treatment of the water coming from them.

Water treatment techniques

It is therefore crucial to guarantee animals optimal water by first eliminating the microbiological risk also considering the large volumes consumed by farm animals and in particular by dairy and meat ruminants. Among the different methods, mechanical filtration which involves the use of sand filters, static sieves (net or cartridge) or special membranes as in the case of microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, is mainly

used for the separation of particles and minerals while for disinfection, with the elimination of most of the organisms present, the most effective and most widely used methods in animal husbandry are chlorination, exposure to ultraviolet radiation and ozonation. However, when using these techniques, a pre-filtration aimed at removing sediments and chemical and organic substances is always advisable, which makes the disinfection process more effective and less expensive.

Thechlorineit is a powerful oxidizing agent and the most commonly used disinfectant because it is inexpensive and effective at low concentrations. Furthermore, having a residual effect, remaining in the water it continues to destroy bacteria (Reynolds and Richards, 1996). Liquid in the form of sodium hypochlorite is commonly used, simple to use and able to guarantee accurate dosages, generally 1-3 ppm although for well water these values  can be excessive. Water with a pH higher than 7.5 can reduce its effectiveness.

L’ozoneIt has oxidizing properties superior to those of other sanitizing agents but its residence time in water is very short, making it effective for periods exceeding 10 minutes only in the presence of water with a pH lower than 7, a condition which reduces the speed of ozone degradation. . Since it is an unstable gas, it is preferable to produce it directly on site by installing a production plant directly on the farm, a condition which increases the costs of both the intervention and those of maintenance and management.

TheUV ultraviolet radiationthey are effective in disinfecting water when the ability of the radiation to pass through it is greater than 60%, a condition hindered in the presence of high turbidity or quantity of substances dissolved in it. As in the case of ozonation, the ozonation system is significantly expensive as is its management when compared to the simple treatment of water with oxidizing agents.

Considering that almost all livestock farms resort to the use of company wells for water supply and that these are susceptible to microbial contamination, having alternatives to common chemical disinfectants or more complex and expensive disinfection systems is certainly an opportunity of great practical and economic interest. In fact, it should be underlined that chemical treatments, if not carefully carried out, can lead to the pollution of the water itself with by- products that cause environmental damage and could be potentially unfavorable for animal health. The best-known example is that of chlorine, which, by reacting with organic compounds naturally present in nature (NOM), can give rise to disinfection by-products such as halogenous organohalogens (trihalomethanes and halogenous acetic acids), capable of causing damage to

the liver, to the central nervous system, even being carcinogenic. Among the innovative and alternative approaches, an effective biocidal activity has been found through the treatment of water with nano and microbubbles, a strategy not only easy and economical to apply but also to manage and which is starting to take hold in our country too. Various evidence relating to the effectiveness of this technique has in fact emerged in various field tests carried out in European but also non-European countries, as well as in installations already in place in pig and poultry farms.

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION – to do

In this regard, PolloSano technology…

Figure 1: Nano and micro bubbles in treated water

Figure 2: Dimensional characteristics and stability of bubbles in water

Figure 3: Biofilm pre and post treatment

Start of treatment                                                                30 days post treatment

However, evidence of the effects of this technique in the bovine species is currently lacking and in this regard, in an ongoing study in a herd of fattening beef cattle, the first results regarding the disinfectant effectiveness of the treatment are absolutely positive and solid. The analyzes carried out on samples of water coming from the same farm but treated and untreated with nano and microbubbles have in fact highlighted an effective antibacterial action of the treatment as demonstrated by the data reported in Table 1 and relating to two different sampling moments. In fact, the results demonstrate that the water subjected to treatment with nano and microbubbles

Table 1: Characteristics of well water 7 days after the start of treatment with nano and microbubble technology (PolloSano)

 Water controlTreated Water 10 d after the start of treatment
Total bacterial load and 22° C, CFU/ml231012
Total bacterial load and 36° C, CFU/ml383086
Enterobacteriaceae,  CFU/ml120< 1
Pseudomonas,  CFU/ml80< 1
Staphylococci coagulase +, CFU/ml< 1< 1
Sulphite-reducing Clostridia spores, CFU/ml< 1< 1

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Drigo M., G. Ribaudo, A. Piccirillo, D. Pasotto, V. Pavan, ML Menandro, M. Giacomelli, M. Dalla Bona, C. Montesissa, G. Zagotto, (2016). Microbiological and chemical-physical quality of drinking water in pig farms in Veneto. Large Animal Review 2016; 22:25-31

Enne G., G. Greppi, M. Serrantoni (2006). The role of water in animal breeding. Ital. J. Agron. / Rev. Agron., 2006, 3:519-527

National research council (2016) – Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. National Academy Press, Washington DC, Eighth Revised Edition.

Reynolds, T.D., P.A. Richards, (1996). Unit Operations and Processes in Environmental Engineering. PWS Publishing Company, Boston, MA.

Sgoifo Rossi CA (2005). Beef, who’s to blame if the color is wrong. Zootechnical Informant, 5:22-28.

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION – to be done

About the PolloSano technology ……

A water purification technology, developed and owned by Pollosano ltd. and currently pending patent protection, demonstrates the results of water purification shown in the table below. As mentioned above, this technology is based on diffusing air bubbles into a water tank. These bubbles contain clusters of radicalized oxygen molecules in the gas phase, which are created in a specially designed radicalized molecular oxygen generator. Radicalized oxygen molecules are known to be aggressive oxidants and hyper-active agents for purifying water from organic, inorganic and biological contaminants due to their unstable electrically excited state. The Pollosano technology produces these radicalized molecules from electrically neutral, gas phase oxygen molecules at ambient air inside the generator. The basic steps of the process of electrically exciting molecular oxygen include introducing ambient air into the radicalized oxygen molecules generator at ambient temperature and a selected pressure. Inside the generator, the oxygen molecules are simultaneously exposed to UV radiation and local magnetic field(s) along the longitudinal axis of the generator. The UV radiation excites the electrons of the π-double bond of the oxygen molecules to a higher meta-stable energy level, while the magnetic field polarizes this π-double bond and extends the mean life-time of the excited molecules. The radicalized oxygen molecules maintain their meta-stable state by constantly shifting among different electronic states, which all form together an allotrope. The special configuration of the magnetic field with local intensity in a particular volume inside the generator maintains large clusters of electrically excited oxygen molecules over time. This increases the yield of the generator in producing them and eventually the efficiency of purifying water. The clusters of radicalized oxygen molecules are held in the local magnetic field(s) in the generator and drift downwards to its exit at the bottom with the flow of the incoming ambient air. A tube and a diffuser, serially connected to the bottom exit of the generator, let the radicalized oxygen molecules controllably diffuse into the water in a water tank. Air bubbles that contain the allotropes of the radicalized oxygen molecules float inside the water bulk and aggressively attack practically all types of contaminants due to their unstable electronic state. Oxidation of the contaminants is carried out in essentially two paths. In an indirect path molecular oxygen radicals react with water molecules to produce a highly reactive hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with inorganic, metallic compounds, organic compounds and biological entities in the water. In the direct path, the air bubbles that contain molecular oxygen radicals come in contact with the contaminants and attack them in order to reach their stable electronic state back. It is assumed that the direct path is much more dominant in the Pollosano system, because the generator is capable of producing relatively stable clusters of radicalized oxygen molecules that are protected inside the air bubbles that diffuse into the water. In both paths, products, by-products and debris of the water contaminants produced in the oxidation reaction, float in the water bulk. At least part of them precipitates on the floor of the water tank and form an insoluble sludge. The sludge can then be easily separated from the liquid water. All other soluble products are either harmless to livestock and farm animal and/or can be further filtered out. The figure below shows an allotrope with interchanging states of the electrically excited oxygen molecules after exposure to UV radiation and in the presence of a magnetic field.

Reproduced from US 4,655,933 to Johnson et al

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Prof. Carlo Angelo Sgoifo Rossi

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