Water Quality

Efficiency and Risk of Chlorine Dioxide use in Water

There are different chlorine-based compounds that can be used for animal drinking water disinfection. Sodium or calcium hypochlorite are well known disinfectants. The disadvantages are well known: no cleaning capacity, corrosive effects and even carcinogenic disinfection byproducts.

Hazardous Process

Chlorine dioxide is a yellow to reddish-yellow gas which decomposes rapidly in air. Chlorine dioxide is soluble in water. Because the gas is hazardous, it has to be made at the location where it is used (in situ). This can occur by mixing 2 precursors by hand, or by mixing 2 precursors through a dosage installation. Note that per product it may differ what the actual concentration of chlorine dioxide is that is produced and that the chemical composition of the precursors can also vary (chlorine dioxide can be produced via various routes/substances).

Biofilm Removal

Disinfecting drinking water is important, but it is even more crucial to completely remove the biofilm in the water distribution system. The biofilm, no matter how small, can serve as a hiding place for pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. Biofilm has been referred to as the Trojan horse, where bacteria hide and strike when they get the chance. For instance, when a vaccine is administered through drinking water and the application of chlorine dioxide is temporarily stopped. At this point, animals often exhibit a vaccination reaction. However, in many cases, the reaction is not caused by the vaccine itself, but rather by pathogenic bacteria that are released from the biofilm during vaccine administration, entering the drinking water and infecting the animals.

Biofilm removal comparison in poultry drinking line over 24 hrs. with chlorine dioxide compared to Intra Hydrocare™.

No Cleaning Capacity

Cleaning the drinking water system is therefore much more important than disinfecting. Intra Hydrocare proves to be an effective alternative. The primary feature of Intra Hydrocare™ is its cleansing ability. One litre of Intra Hydrocare™produces over 200 litres of small oxygen bubbles that slowly penetrate the biofilm, gradually removing it step by step. Other components in Intra Hydrocare ensure that this process occurs smoothly, effectively cleaning the entire water distribution system. One litre of chlorine dioxide solution only produces 1.9 litres of oxygen. A negligible amount, which was clearly shown by the results from different experiments with our biofilm generator. These experiments show that even a high concentration of chlorine dioxide solution is not able to remove biofilm. Meaning that you start a new cycle with an invisible but very serious risk factor. When chlorine dioxide dosing stops (for instance during vaccination through the drinking water), the pathogenic microorganisms from the biofilm will be released in the water.

Water Taste and Odour

The World Health Organisation states that the taste and odour threshold for chlorine dioxide is 0.2 – 0.4 ml/L. (= 0.2 – 0.4 ppm). Independent research has verified the effect on taste and odour of chlorinated water, as the water intake of broilers where chlorine dioxide is used as a drinking water disinfectant is lower. This shows lower growth rates compared to broilers where Intra Hydrocare^TM is used as drinking water disinfectant. In the Intra Hydrocare™ group, the water intake in the first week was 78 ml higher. In the total trial period of 6 weeks this led to an increased water intake of 382 ml (FCR was 1.5 points better in the Intra Hydrocare group).

Comparison of water intake between chlorine dioxide and Intra Hydrocare™. 1st week: +78 ml and after 6 weeks +382 ml.

Egg Shell Effect

Last but not least, chlorinating drinking water has a negative effect on the calcium metabolism. Excess metabolic chloride depresses a hen’s carbonate production, which is required for the formation of calcium carbonate during egg calcification.

A Solution with Beneficial Outcomes

Intra Hydrocare^TM is a unique, non-corrosive and very effective cleaner and disinfectant, without harmful residues: only water and oxygen. With the European Chemical Agency CHA BPR PT02, -03, -04 and -05 approval, a 100% guarantee that the biofilm is removed and the water is safe for consumption (Intra HydroCare Whitepaper, March 2024) .

Contact CCD Animal Health for more information on Intra Hydrocare™.