Why do you need to use troughs when there is surface water, streams and dams? Stock will walk and get a drink. However, surface water supplies can contain all sorts of health risks, from crocodiles down to bacteria. A trough minimises the pollution from muddy hooves and, if required, can readily be dosed with medication. Generally, livestock will show preference for bore water supplies.
Setting up a stock water trough properly will provide benefits for years to come. Whether long or circular; concrete, metal or plastic, the basic method is the same.
LOCATION IN A PADDOCK Do not put it under the tree or where leaves etc. can foul the water. Ideally, put a roof over it to keep water cool. Select a site that is drained, such as a slope or a hilltop and is central to the paddock to reduce travel for water.
IN A FENCE LINE OR STOCK YARDS Especially where the trough is to supply both sides of the fence, put a rail immediately at water level in the fence with posts at either side/end, so it does not become an escape route for your Houdinis. Putting up a roof over is fairly easy in this situation.
WATER SUPPLY Ideally by gravity from a tank, filled from a bore. That way there is a reserve in the event of pump or pipeline failure. The tank should be setup with two outlets, one at the bottom kept shut and for emergency use, another at half way up and open for normal use. using an automatic pressure pump is risky when there is no reservoir in the system. Gravity will always work but pumps can fail.
SITE PREPARATION the objective is to keep the surroundings dry. Muddy hooves are bad news for livestock. Ensure a road gravel base covers at least three metres all around the trough. Better still is a concrete slab at least two metres wide all around the trough, with road base beyond that. Hooves wear soil away quickly and even gravekl will need occasional levelling off. Do not forget to install the pipeline to the trough BEFORE putting down the base materials; and install a sleeve around the pipe through the base thickness.
TROUGH Preferably use one with a bottom wash-out plug and with a float valve connection about half way up directly opposite the wash-out plug.
FLOAT VALVE Install this with a float connected by a string or chain to the valve arm, so that stock’s playing with the float are less likely to damage the valve. Valve covers are easy in long troughs but not at all so in circular troughs. Once the water supply is connected, adjust the float to keep the water level low enough that waves from the wind etc will not splash over, causing the area to become wet and boggy.
PIPE CONNECTION Immediately on the side of the trough, fit a pair of flanges to enable disconnection, as a trough is very heavy. Then an elbow to run horizontally, then ball-valve to shut off the trough in the event of a failed float valve, then a piece of flexible good quality hose about 400 mm long or more, then an elbow onto the rising pipe from below ground. This arrangement gives ready access to all components connecting the trough with no difficult-to-make connections. Flanges are much easier to disconnect than threaded Unions; and if needed, the flange bolts can be cut with an angle grinder to disconnect, then replaced when reconnecting. Flush all dirt and debris from pipelines before making the final connection, so the float valve sealing mechanism does not get damaged. Flush pout the trough, then replace the wash-out plug and fill, adjust the float valve level; and it is all done.