Introduction

• Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health.

• Focus on drinking and livestock water hygiene and wastewater treatment.

Global Water Consumption

Water Categories

• Drinking water

• Utility water (household use)

• Livestock water (for food production, agriculture, industry)

Annual Global Water Usage

• Total global consumption: 4.3 trillion m³.

• Breakdown:

  • Households: 10%

  • Industry: 20%

  • Agriculture: 70%

Water Usage in Germany

Daily Water Consumption

• Average consumption per person: 121 liters/day.

Industrial Water Usage

• Industries and power plants account for 20% of global water withdrawal.

• Water used in industrial production primarily for cooling and production processes.

Agricultural Water Usage

• 70% of global water usage in agriculture.

• Only 20% of agricultural land irrigated, producing 40% of global food.

• Irrigation methods include:

  • Flood irrigation

  • Furrow irrigation

  • Sprinkler irrigation

  • Drip irrigation

Water Quality and Regulation

Legal Framework

• Trinkwasser-VO (Regulation on the Quality of Water for Human Use).

• Key regulations effective from May 21, 2001, and revised March 10, 2016.

Assessing Water Quality

• Classification of surface water based on nutrient levels:

  • Oligotrophic (low nutrients)

  • Mesotrophic (moderate nutrients)

  • Eutrophic (high nutrients)

Drinking Water Extraction

1. Groundwater:

   • Sources include various types of wells.

2. Surface Water:

   • Methods include bank filtration and artificial recharge.

Drinking Water Protection Zones

Protection Regulations

• Zone I: 10m radius around the water source - strictly no access except for water collection.

• Zone II: Minimum 100m radius with restricted agricultural and construction activities.

• Zone III: Encompasses the entire watershed area - prohibits dumping and pesticide use.

Drinking Water Treatment Processes

Treatment Procedures

1. Gas Exchange: Oxygen addition, removal of CO2.

2. Filtration: Removes iron and manganese, often using activated carbon for additional filtration of pollutants.

3. Disinfection: Strategies for ensuring microbial safety:

   • Chlorination: Wide spectrum, but byproducts can form.

   • Ozone: Strong oxidant but has high operational demand.

   • UV Treatment: Effective against a range of pathogens but requires high doses.

Health Risks from Water Sources

Contaminants of Concern

1. Chemical Contaminants:

   • Includes heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and toxic compounds (e.g., nitrates).

2. Biological Contaminants:

   • Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

   • E.g., outbreaks linked to past contamination events causing large scale illnesses.

Pathogen Transmission Risks

• Provides historical context of epidemics (e.g., cholera outbreaks).

• Pathogens often originating from fecal contamination.

Microbiological Testing

Indicators of Water Quality

• Coliforms: Serve as indicators of fecal contamination.

• Techniques for detection include membrane filtration methods.

• Normal water that appears clear can harbor pathogens requiring regular testing.

Microbial Health Standards

• Laws governing acceptable microbial levels:

  • E. coli: 0 in 100ml.

  • Total bacterial count limits.

Water Supply Needs for Livestock

Quantity Requirements by Species

• Daily average water needs outlined for different types of livestock (e.g., dairy cows, pigs).

Legal Standards for Livestock Water

• Regulations ensuring water quality for livestock sanitation.

• Ministry guidelines regarding acceptable chemical and microbial thresholds.

Quality Assessment Practices

• Mandatory assessments of water quality at least annually.

Conclusion

• Effective water management and hygiene practices are critical for both human and animal health.

• Regular monitoring and proactive measures against contamination are essential.