Home › Guides › Dairy equipment
Clean Water on Dairy Farms: For Cows, Milking Hygiene and Washing Milk Equipment
Quick answer: Dairy farms need plenty of clean drinking water for cows (milk is mostly water) and safe, preferably soft water for cleaning udders, cans and milking equipment. Dirty water spreads mastitis and spoils milk; hard water leaves milkstone in cans and machines. Simple steps: protect the water source, filter sediment, disinfect cleaning water with UV (from KSh 5,000) or chlorine, and soften hard water.
Key facts
- Cows drink a lot: never ration
- Clean water for udders and cans
- UV or chlorine for cleaning water
- Soften hard water
On this page
Why Water Quality Matters on a Dairy Farm
- Milk yield: cows that cannot drink enough produce less milk.
- Mastitis: washing udders with contaminated water spreads bacteria.
- Milk rejection: cans rinsed in dirty water raise bacterial counts at the collection centre.
- Milkstone: hard water leaves deposits in cans and machines where bacteria hide.
Water Uses and Treatment
| Use | What to aim for | Simple treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Cow drinking water | Clean, always available | Covered troughs, cleaned often; protect the source |
| Udder washing | Disinfected water, single-use cloths | UV or chlorination after sediment filter |
| Cleaning cans and milking machines | Clean, soft, hot for washing | Filter, soften if hard, disinfect |
| Milk cooling | Water for chillers where used | Clean, soft water |
Equipment
H-Tech 0.4GPM 6W UV SterilizerKSh 5,000
H-Tech 1GPM 12W UV SterilizerKSh 6,000
H-Tech 2GPM 16W UV SterilizerKSh 11,600
817 FRP Tanks and PP FiltersKSh 9,200
1 T/H 0844 H-Tech Water Softener MachineKSh 60,400
TDS Handheld MeterKSh 6,500
pH Handheld MeterKSh 4,500
20l milk storage canKSh 8,500
Milk transport canKSh 13,000| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| H-Tech 0.4GPM 6W UV Sterilizer | KSh 5,000 |
| H-Tech 1GPM 12W UV Sterilizer | KSh 6,000 |
| H-Tech 2GPM 16W UV Sterilizer | KSh 11,600 |
| 817 FRP Tanks and PP Filters | KSh 9,200 |
| 1 T/H 0844 H-Tech Water Softener Machine | KSh 60,400 |
| TDS Handheld Meter | KSh 6,500 |
| pH Handheld Meter | KSh 4,500 |
| 20l milk storage can | KSh 8,500 |
| Milk transport can | KSh 13,000 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 18 October 2026).
For borehole and river water, start with a water test and see drinking water for livestock and how to chlorinate a tank.
Cleaning Milk Cans and Equipment
- Rinse with clean water immediately after use.
- Wash with hot water and dairy detergent, brushing all surfaces.
- Rinse with clean, disinfected water.
- Acid-rinse periodically to remove milkstone (especially with hard water).
- Dry upside down on a rack in the sun or a clean area.
Use stainless or aluminium cans, not plastic jerrycans (see milk cans and handling).
Quick Wins for Small Farms
- Cover tanks and troughs; clean them weekly.
- Fit a sediment filter and a small UV steriliser on the cleaning water line.
- Keep a separate clean-water tap for the milking area.
- Test water yearly and after floods.
Watch: Milk chillers and pasteurizers
Frequently asked questions
Why is clean water important on a dairy farm?
It affects milk yield, udder health, milk quality and how clean your equipment stays.
How much water does a dairy cow drink?
A lot, especially when milking; give unlimited clean water.
Can dirty water cause mastitis?
Contaminated washing water can spread mastitis bacteria.
What is milkstone?
Mineral and milk deposits on cans and machines, worse with hard water.
How do I disinfect water for washing udders?
Filter it and use UV or correct chlorination.