How to Make Your Own Ball Tap Water Trough

Making a ball tap water trough similar to those commercially available is a straightforward task. The water trough provides fresh drinking water to livestock. The Government of Alberta, Canada, Agriculture and Rural Development department prefers troughs for livestock's drinking water and documented concerns regarding livestock drinking from surface water sources. The concerns include the livestock's health, conservation of streams and the streams' water quality.

Things You'll Need

  • Ball tap cover
  • Gravel
  • Concrete
  • Bolts
  • Digging equipment
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Instructions

    • 1

      Calculate the required size of the water trough and daily amount of water required for livestock according to type and number of animals that will use the trough.

    • 2

      Acquire the appropriate size of water trough. Allow adequate space for individual animals. In areas subject to freezing weather, the water trough's design must prevent the trough water from freezing.

    • 3

      Acquire a ball tap and matching size water pipe of required length.

    • 4

      Create a hard level for the water trough with gravel.

    • 5

      Make concrete footings on which the water trough will stand.

    • 6

      Secure the water trough with bolts onto the concrete footings to ensure the livestock cannot move the trough or turn it over.

    • 7

      Dig a trench from the water source to the water trough and lay the pipeline. Generally, the trench's depth should be 1 foot, but the depth depends on the specific site of the water trough. Where a water trough is next to the water source, or where the water pipeline runs along a boundary without the danger of being damaged, it may be suitable not to place the pipeline underground. In soft ground and in areas with heavy traffic, however, burying the pipeline deeper is appropriate.

    • 8

      Put the ball tap securely into the water trough, and connect to the water pipeline.

    • 9

      Fill the trough with water. Adjust the water level height at which the ball tap shuts off the flow of water.

    • 10

      Place a ball tap cover over the ball tap. Secure it to avoid livestock damaging the ball tap.