Storage tanks

The configuration of water storage on the farm should ensure there is adequate contact time between the fresh water and the required level of chlorine, before the treated water is supplied to the sheds and poultry. The delivery of chlorine directly into the shed water supply line, or the use of small capacity holding tanks that directly supply the sheds will not allow adequate contact time, particularly during periods of high demand for drinking and cooling water. Inadequate contact time between the chlorine and water increases the risk of the introduction of water-borne avian pathogens.

A two-storage tank system is the most acceptable configuration to ensure adequate contact time when chlorinating surface water. A primary storage tank can be filled with chlorinated water and, after a minimum retention period, manually drained into the secondary sealed tank supplying the poultry sheds. This is low cost but requires ongoing intervention by the poultry farm manager.

The schematic diagrams outline two possible storage tank set-ups.