Supply of Water from Boreholes

In order to keep livestock in regions without notable surface water resources it is necessary to obtain water from underground sources (ground water near the surface or deep geological layers). The choice of positioning wells or boreholes is made not only according to the availability of water resources but also according to the requirements of the farming systems and the desired system of managing pasture resources. | Environmental Assessment: Pressure State Response Indicators Policy Pressures and Policy Options Technology Options

Water points have a major bearing on the distribution of cattle in pastures and rangelands. They also permit the management of pasture carrying capacity, and also enable temporary protection of certain areas from livestock.

Livestock that drink in streams are a direct source of nutrient and bacterial pollution of water and often cause streambank erosion where they access the stream. These forms of water quality degradation can be eliminated by providing alternate watering facilities and fencing or excluding the livestock from the stream.

The quality of the water is significantly improved when cattle are excluded from a pond that has previously served as a watering point and they are forced to obtain their water from a trough or tank. Livestock consumption of cleaner water may also result in improved animal health.

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