AN ROINN TALMHAÍOCHTA AGUS BIA S. 170A DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD July 2007 MINIMUM SPECIFICATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF WATER FOR CONSUMPTION IN COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARMS This specification covers the installation and maintenance of the water treatment systems for commercial poultry farms to ensure that water is always chlorinated to the correct dosage for the prevention of avian influenza.This is a minimum specification. . 1 Water Treatment Unit 1.1 Objective This installation shall be calibrated to deliver at least 2ppm of free chlorine in solution to water for consumption by poultry. The chlorine shall be delivered to the incoming water supply and shall achieve a minimal residence time of 30 minutes in the mandatory header tank prior to consumption by the poultry. This installation is applicable to every eligible unit /poultry house present on a poultry farm on the basis of one unit per water source/site. Note: Excessive levels of chlorine in the water may lead to a decline in consumption of water by the birds. 1.2 Installation Specification The Water Treatment Unit shall comprise at least the items listed below and shall be installed in the sequence outlined in . 1. Inlet Ball Valve D/U PVC – 1” FBSP connection 2. Dirt Filter with rinsing valve outlet 3. Cold Water Impulse Meter 4. Chlorine Automatic Control Degassing Dosing Pump 5. Stock tank for concentrated sodium hypochlorite solution storage 6. Bund for stock tank 7. Non return spring loaded chlorine injection valve 8. Outlet Ball valve D/U PVC – 1” FBSP connection 9. Sample tap on outlet line after header tank Note: It is recommended that the chlorination unit be housed indoors entirely. This ensures optimum performance for the chlorination unit and sodium hypochlorite solution. 1.3 Specification for Dosing Pump The specification for the dosing pump for flow proportional free chlorine dosing shall at least meet the following criteria: a) Patented self degassing head for automatic venting system for degassing of free chlorine solution gas build up to minimise or prevent airlocks b) Double ball non return type PVC Valves c) Manual stroke adjustment 0 – 100% d) Automatic frequency adjustment 0 – 100% proportional to incoming signal (pulse, mA or voltage) with facility to pulse multiply / divide. e) LCD status display showing frequency or % stroke length, input signal, totalisation of strokes f) Selectable interval spacing of dosing rate to ensure even dosage between incoming pulses from water meter. g) IP 65 rating h) Operational to the pressure of the flow i) 24 month continuous run warranty on magnet and electronics providing they are operated correctly j) Accessibility to technical service, spares, repairs etc. Note 1: In water feed systems with very low flow rate, the pump shall be capable of dosing 2ppm of free chorine to the water. Note 2: In the case of accepted dosing pumps fitted with twin non return lip valves, then a) & b) above are not required. Note 3: Details of accepted dosing pumps in the period 2006-2007 are available in Annex 1. 1.4 Stock Tank for Concentrated Sodium Hypochlorite Solution Storage Where Sodium Hypochlorite is used, then the stock tank, if installed outdoors shall be a type HDPE ‘black’ coloured tank such that it is ultra-violet stabilised for protection against sunlight. If installed indoors, then it shall be a type HDPE ‘white/transparent’ coloured tank. Sodium Hypochlorite, in liquid or in tablet form shall be used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. The stock tank shall be fitted with a level switch or probe to activate an alarm to alert personnel to low quantities of the solution. A foot valve with non return valve shall be installed in the stock tank to prevent fluid draining back into the tank. 1.5 Header Tank The header tank, if newly installed as part of the Water Treatment Unit shall be of plastic construction specified for storage of potable water. Galvanised or metal tanks are not permitted even where they currently exist in poultry houses. Existing tanks shall be covered with a factory fitted lid to prevent entry of dirt and debris and possible recontamination. New tanks shall either be sealed or be covered with a factory fitted lid; all tanks to be provided with drip tray with overflow. 2 The header tank shall be sized to accommodate peak daily water consumption (minimum 1 hour capacity), while simultaneously achieving a residence time of at least 30 minutes for chlorinated water. A water pump shall be fitted downstream of the header tank, where necessary. 1.6 The header tank shall be fitted with a level switch or probe to activate an alarm to alert personnel to low quantities of chlorinated water for consumption. Dosing / Injection Valve 6mm x ½” MBSP non return spring loaded injection valve (No. 7 in Figure 1.) 1.7 Chlorine and pH Test Kit A test meter shall be supplied to the end user with each installation. It shall be used to sample the water on a regular basis to verify chlorine readings to ensure that the water is receiving the correct dosage for disinfection purposes. In the event that the readings are indicating the dosage is insufficient, the dosing pump shall be recalibrated accordingly to ensure at least 2ppm of chlorine is delivered to the water. Again, the test meter shall be used to ensure the modification delivers the correct dosage. Samples shall be obtained from the water sample tap located downstream of the header tank. A record of test results shall be maintained. Specification of Chlorine and pH Test Kit Amperometric chlorine test kit (c/w carrying case), all necessary reagent and glassware for simple photometric determination of free chlorine. Range: 0.05 – 6.0 ppm free chlorine 5.5 – 8.4 pH (phenol red) 2 Additional Requirements A sample water tap downstream of the header tank shall be provided to enable representative samples to be taken for test purposes (see Figure 1). A T-junction shall be inserted in the pipe work downstream of the header tank and a pipe connected to it. To the end of this pipe a sample water tap shall be attached such that it is accessible to personnel at ground level. A sample water tap downstream of the medication tank shall be provided to ascertain if the water has been dechlorinated. All fittings in relation to this specification shall be chlorine resistant (e.g. PVC or PTFE pipe work). 3 Optional Facilities 3.1 Carbon Filtration Unit Installations may be equipped with an active carbon filter cartridge depending on the method employed for vaccination or medication purposes. If required, it shall be installed downstream of the chlorination treatment unit, and/or including a vaccination/medication tank. It shall be activated for the duration of the vaccination or medication period to filter out the chlorine from the water (see Figure 1). Where necessary, a booster pump downstream of the medication tank shall be installed. However if there are a number of houses being served by a common header tank, it is permissible to fit individual carbon filters to each house so that a single house can be isolated for the vaccination period independent of the other houses. 3 Other options for dechlorinating the water include the use of skim milk powder, which does not necessitate the use of a carbon filter. It does, however, necessitate the use of a vaccination/medication tank. 3.2 Water Hardness Presence of Iron or Manganese Where water hardness is present, it tends to react with the chlorine to produce scale and deposits along the internal pipe work and injection valve, which could interfere with the performance of the unit. Therefore, it is recommended that mineral composition of the drinking water should be analytically determined in an appropriate laboratory, in order to establish whether a filtration unit should be added. Water analysis results should be retained. Provision should be made for the installation of a water softener facility where necessary. If required, it shall be inserted before the impulse meter and after the dirt filter (see Figure 1). If there is evidence of high levels of iron or manganese in the water supply, appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the efficacy of the water chlorination system. 4 Recommendations It is recommended that end-users be familiar with the shelf life of free chlorine solutions. Some solutions deteriorate over time and should be stored away from heat or direct sunlight (see suppliers handling and safety data sheets). Insulation and lagging of the system including tanks and associated pipe work shall be applied, whether internal or external, where deemed necessary in accordance with good professional advice. It is also important that the pH value of the incoming water be established to ensure that the level is not more than pH 7.0 – 7.5. The reason is to ensure that the chlorine is in the free chlorine ion form (which is required for disinfection). All equipment purchased should be suitable for the job with adequate provisions for maintenance and repairs. Dosing pumps should be serviced annually and service records retained. 5 Maintenance The installation shall require regular maintenance to ensure it is fully functional and to ensure the health and safety of personnel. 6 Safety Applicants are advised of the need to acquaint themselves with the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. At least one safety notice shall be erected beside the installation, in particular the drum containing the chlorine, alerting personnel to its presence. Health and Safety requirements relating to the use of chlorine products for water treatment shall be fully complied with. 7 Electrical Installations Wiring and fittings shall be installed, and all work shall be carried out in accordance with the Second Edition of the National Rules for Electrical Installations, ET 101/1991 and Amendment A1:197, and specifically Section 705 - Electrical Installations for Agricultural and Horticultural premises. 4 A certificate, specifically for agricultural work, the "Supplementary Agricultural Certification Form" shall be signed by the Electrical Contractor. For electrical work associated with the installation of the water treatment unit, a ‘Sub-System Completion Certificate’ is also required. 5 List of changes to S170 incorporated into S170A 1.2 Installation Specification Note: It is recommended that the chlorination unit be housed indoors entirely. This ensures optimum performance for the chlorination unit and sodium hypochlorite solution. 1.3 Specification for Dosing Pump Note 2: In the case of accepted dosing pumps fitted with twin non return lip valves, then a) & b) above are not required. Note 3: Details of accepted dosing pumps in the period 2006 - 2007 are available in Annex 1 1.4 Stock Tank for Concentrated Sodium Hypochlorite Solution Storage Sodium Hypochlorite, in liquid or in tablet form shall be used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. The stock tank shall be fitted with a level switch or probe to activate an alarm to alert personnel to low quantities of the solution. A foot valve with non return valve shall be installed in the stock tank to prevent fluid draining back into the tank. 1.5 Header Tank The header tank shall be sized to accommodate peak daily water consumption (minimum 1 hour capacity), while simultaneously achieving a residence time of at least 30 minutes for chlorinated water. The header tank shall be fitted with a level switch or probe to activate an alarm to alert personnel to low quantities of chlorinated water for consumption. 2 Additional Requirements A sample water tap downstream of the medication tank shall be provided to ascertain if the water has been dechlorinated. 3.1 Carbon Filtration Unit Where necessary, a booster pump downstream of the medication tank shall be installed. 3.2 Water Hardness Presence of Iron or Manganese Therefore, it is recommended that mineral composition of the drinking water should be analytically determined in an appropriate laboratory, in order to establish whether a filtration unit should be added. Responsibility for this lies with the applicant. Water analysis results should be retained. Provision should be made for the installation of a water softener facility where necessary. If there is evidence of high levels of iron or manganese in the water supply, appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the efficacy of the water chlorination system. 4 Recommendations Dosing pumps should be serviced annually and service records retained. 6 Annex 1 ACCEPTED DOSING PUMPS FOR THE TREATMENT OF WATER FOR CONSUMPTION IN COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARMS This list details all the dosing pumps (and supplier contact details) that were accepted for the treatment of water for consumption in commercial poultry farms and fully met the detailed specifications for dosing pumps set out in S. 170A in the period 2006 - 2007 If a manufacturing/supply company for chlorine dosing pumps which is not on this list wishes to be included, they should contact: Farm Buildings Section, Department of Agriculture and Food, Pavilion A, Grattan Business Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Tel. 057 869 4402 Note: Dosing pumps must satisfy the requirements of this Specification in order to be included on this list. Dosing Pump Etatron DLXB - VFT/MO Supplier P.E. Services, Cavan Road, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan. Tel. 049 854 5171 Grundfos DDI Plus 3 Grundfos (Ireland) Ltd., Unit A, Merrywell Business Park, Ballymount Road Lower, Dublin 12 Tel. 01 408 9800 Prominent Gala V. Fleming Ltd., Tivoli Terrace East, Dun Laoghaire, Co.Dublin. Tel. 01 280 5028 7 Direction of flow of water from water supply source to poultry drinking lines Water Hardness Filter (Optional) 2 Valve 1 Impulse Meter 8 Valve 7 Valve 9 Pipework 3 Dirt (sediment) Filter Chlorine Injection Valve Header Tank Water Water Sample Pump (optional) Water Sample Valve Carbon Cartridge Filter 4 Free Chlorine Solution Stock Tank Pump Water Pump (optional) 5 Valve Vaccination / medication Tank Bund 6 Figure 1 Schematic of Chlorine Disinfection of Water for Avian Flu Prevention