Production performance and physiological homeostasis of dairy livestock offered treated effluent water: a short-term...

The adoption of appropriate and reliable water reuse strategies can contribute to the sustainability of intensive dairy farming in water-stressed regions like India. The suitability of Treated Effluent Water (TEW), obtained through a low-cost, farm-scale treatment process, was assessed for use as a drinking source by dairy bovines. The effluent was subjected to a multistage treatment process comprising coagulation, filtration, and chlorination before its utilisation. A total of 144 animals-Murrah buffalo, Karan Fries cattle, and Tharparkar cattle-across various age and sex groups were included in a 3-month trial. Water quality analysis showed that the treated water was clear, odourless, and free of detectable coliforms and enteric pathogens, with total dissolved solids (TDS) of 556 mg/L, conductivity of 603 µS/cm, and salinity of 381 ppm, all within the permissible limits. No significant differences were observed between the control and TEW-fed groups in dry matter intake, total water intake, or growth performance, indicating normal feed utilisation and palatability. Physiological parameters, i.e., rectal temperature, respiration rate, and pulse rate and haematological indices (Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC, DLC) remained within normal ranges, with no evidence of osmotic or metabolic stress over the trial period. Furthermore, the low and stable gastrointestinal parasite load in both groups gave no indication of waterborne parasite transmission. Under the conditions tested, correctly treated dairy effluent water was not associated with detectable adverse effects on short-term intake, growth, or physiological status. These findings describe the absence of short-term adverse effects and should not be read as evidence of safety, which cannot be established from a 12-week trial in the absence of toxicological testing and residue analysis of animal products. Long-term, adequately powered studies incorporating residue and toxicological assessment are required before any conclusion regarding safety can be drawn.