A dependable water supply supports the day-to-day operation of livestock farms, dairy farms and other agricultural businesses. Farmers need enough water for livestock, water troughs, cleaning, equipment and other agricultural activities, and additional supply available when demand increases.
Whether a mains supply has been interrupted, livestock numbers have increased or a site does not have a suitable mains water connection, Universal Tankers can arrange a practical water delivery service around the farm’s requirements.
Universal Tankers provides scheduled, one-off and emergency water deliveries to suitable on-site storage, helping farms maintain access to the water they need during periods of high demand or supply disruption across England, Scotland and Wales.
Alongside agricultural water supply, Universal Tankers also supports farms with liquid waste removal, agricultural effluent collection and septic tank emptying. This allows agricultural businesses to arrange both water and wastewater services through one experienced provider.
Planned wastewater and effluent collections help farms manage storage capacity and reduce the risk of overflows or pollution incidents. In England, this supports compliance with the SSAFO regulations, the Farming Rules for Water and, where applicable, nitrate vulnerable zone storage rules. In Scotland, agricultural activities including slurry and silage management are regulated under SEPA’s General Binding Rules and wider Controlled Activities Regulations.
Contact Universal Tankers to discuss planned water delivery, emergency supply, agricultural effluent removal or septic tank emptying for your farm.
Water requirements on farms can change throughout the year. Hot weather, growing livestock numbers, increased dairy production, interruptions to mains water supplies and problems with on-site infrastructure can all lead to higher demand.
With more than 20 years of experience in bulk water delivery and wastewater disposal, Universal Tankers understands the water requirements of agricultural businesses. Our network of 20 depots across England and Scotland allows us to supply farms in rural locations, as well as larger agricultural operations requiring substantial or regular water deliveries.
Our modern tanker fleet supports both planned and urgent water requirements. Farmers can arrange scheduled deliveries to meet ongoing demand or request additional water when consumption increases or existing supplies become insufficient.
Universal Tankers also holds a range of recognised industry accreditations, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, SafeContractor and Constructionline Gold. These demonstrate our commitment to quality management, environmental responsibility and health and safety across our operations. View our full list of accreditations.
Our agricultural customers benefit from:
Speak to our team about building a water delivery schedule around your farm’s normal consumption and periods of higher demand.
Call Us Free on 0800 180 4474 from England or 01236 434422 from Scotland.
Agricultural water delivery and waste management covers the supply of bulk water to farms and agricultural sites, alongside the collection and removal of suitable wastewater and liquid waste.
Universal Tankers provides planned and emergency services across the UK, including bulk water delivery, potable and non-potable water supply, liquid waste removal and septic tank emptying. These services help farms to maintain continuous access to water, manage wastewater responsibly and protect day-to-day operations from supply disruption.
Bulk water delivery involves transporting large volumes of water by tanker to agricultural sites where existing infrastructure cannot meet demand.
Water is delivered directly into suitable customer-provided on-site storage. This provides additional supply during periods of increased demand, hot weather or temporary disruption to the normal water supply.
For larger livestock farms and agricultural businesses with predictable requirements, deliveries from Universal Tankers can be scheduled at regular intervals. Delivery frequency can be based on expected water consumption, available storage, livestock numbers and drinking water requirements.
Bulk water delivery also supports temporary livestock areas, fields and other parts of an agricultural site without a connection to fixed water infrastructure, provided suitable customer-owned storage is available at the delivery point.
On larger or more complex sites, access can be affected by undulating ground, field conditions or restricted tanker routes. These factors should be considered when planning delivery points, storage location and safe tanker access.
Emergency water supply provides an alternative source of water when the normal supply to an agricultural site is unexpectedly disrupted or cannot meet immediate demand.
This may be required following a mains water failure, damage to on-site infrastructure or an unexpected increase in water demand. Universal Tankers can deliver water into suitable customer-provided storage while normal supply arrangements are restored.
Emergency deliveries support livestock water requirements, dairy operations, cleaning and other agricultural activities where continuous access to water is essential. This includes drinking water for cattle, sheep and other livestock where a reliable supply is needed to protect animal welfare and site operations.
Emergency water supply can also form part of agricultural contingency planning, helping protect farm operations from the effects of unexpected supply interruptions.
Potable water is water that meets applicable drinking-water quality standards. The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 set requirements for the quality of water supplied for drinking purposes, including water supplied from tankers.
On agricultural sites, potable water may be required where clean water is needed for livestock drinking and other applications where drinking-water quality is required.
Farm animal welfare requirements also cover access to drinking water. In England, the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 require farmed animals to have access to a suitable water supply and an adequate supply of fresh drinking water.
Dairy cattle, sheep and other livestock have substantial water requirements, with consumption varying according to animal numbers, weather conditions and operational activity. In many cases, farms may need large volumes measured in litres each day, depending on herd size and use.
Planned potable water deliveries provide additional supply where existing infrastructure cannot meet temporary or seasonal demand. Deliveries can be scheduled according to expected consumption, available customer-provided storage and site access.
See our emergency water supply services and bulk water delivery services.
Non-potable water has not been treated to drinking-water standards and is not suitable for human consumption. However, it provides a cost-effective option for suitable agricultural applications where potable water quality is not required.
The right water type depends on how it will be used. Water quality affects crop irrigation and livestock health, so the intended application should be established before delivery is arranged. Universal Tankers advise on the most suitable water supply option based on site requirements.
Using non-potable water for appropriate operational activities reduces unnecessary demand on drinking-water supplies and supports efforts to manage the environmental impact of agricultural water use.
Boreholes provide independent, high-volume water for agricultural use, but they may not always meet every temporary, emergency or quality-specific requirement. Where borehole supply is unavailable, insufficient or unsuitable for a particular use, tanker deliveries of non-potable water can provide additional water resources.
Liquid waste and agricultural effluent removal involves collecting suitable non-hazardous wastewater and liquid waste from tanks, yards and other storage systems before transporting it through licensed disposal routes.
Universal Tankers collects a range of agricultural waste streams by vacuum tanker, including slurry removal, dirty water and yard runoff, dairy wastewater and milking parlour washings, and silage effluent.
Collections can be arranged as a one-off service or scheduled regularly where predictable volumes of wastewater are produced.
Regular collections maintain available storage capacity, protect site operations and reduce the likelihood of tanks or holding areas reaching capacity. Emergency collections can also be arranged where additional or unexpected volumes require removal.
The waste stream must be identified and appropriately classified before collection so the correct transport and disposal arrangements can be established. Businesses producing, carrying, keeping, treating or disposing of controlled waste in England and Wales are subject to the Waste Duty of Care Code of Practice and must transfer waste only to appropriately authorised organisations.
Agricultural businesses in England may also need to consider the Farming Rules for Water, which cover measures intended to reduce agricultural diffuse pollution and protect the wider environment.
Where tanker hygiene is relevant to potable water operations, separate cleaning and hygiene controls apply to protect water quality.
Septic tank emptying involves removing accumulated wastewater and sludge from septic tanks serving farms and other rural properties that are not connected to mains sewerage.
Universal Tankers supports farmhouses, farm workers’ accommodation and diversified rural businesses such as holiday lets, farm shops and glamping sites that rely on septic tanks or other off-mains drainage systems.
A vacuum tanker removes the contents of the septic tank before transporting the waste to an appropriate treatment facility.
Planned emptying can be scheduled according to tank capacity, usage and the volume of waste produced. Regular servicing protects the system from blockages, backups and overflows caused by tanks reaching capacity, particularly where a property has higher or more variable usage.
In England, operators of septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants must comply with the applicable general binding rules for small sewage discharges, or obtain an environmental permit where those conditions cannot be met.
Emergency septic tank emptying is also available where a tank requires more immediate attention. Where a farm has several wastewater requirements, septic tank emptying can be scheduled alongside other suitable liquid waste collections.
For more information, see our septic tank emptying service.
To get a quote from our experts, contact our team today. Simply call us on 0800 180 4474 from England or 01236 434422 from Scotland, or fill out our contact form and we will call you back.
Regular farm water deliveries provide more predictable access to additional supply.
This is particularly useful where livestock numbers, dairy production or seasonal conditions create recurring increases in water demand.
Scheduled deliveries help farmers:
A regular delivery plan can also be adjusted if livestock numbers, storage capacity or operational requirements change.
The cost of farm water delivery varies according to the volume required, delivery location, access, frequency and whether additional equipment is needed.
A one-off emergency delivery may have different requirements from a regular scheduled service. Distance, site conditions and available storage can also affect the cost.
Universal Tankers provides quotations based on the circumstances of each farm rather than applying a single price to every delivery.
Contact our team with your postcode, estimated volume, storage capacity and access details for a tailored quote.
Where a mains water connection is unavailable or impractical, tanker delivery provides an alternative supply.
Water can be delivered into a farm water bowser, tank or other suitable storage and distributed to troughs closer to livestock.
The right arrangement depends on field access, animal numbers, intended water use, distance from existing infrastructure and the amount of storage available.
A water bowser is a mobile storage tank used to hold and move water.
Once filled, it can be positioned where water is required and connected to suitable pumps, hoses or trough systems.
On livestock farms, bowsers provide a practical supply where animals are located away from permanent infrastructure.
There is no single daily figure that applies to every animal.
Water requirements vary according to cattle size, weather, milk output, feed type and the dry matter content of the diet.
Farmers should assess the requirements of their own herd and plan trough and storage capacity around expected consumption.
Planning ahead will make farms more resilient to periods of increasing demand or supply interruptions.
Farmers should review their water use, identify where demand is highest and compare expected consumption with available storage.
A water meter can help track changes in water consumption and highlight unusual increases in use. This information then supports decisions about storage, delivery frequency and contingency supply.
Additional tanks or a livestock water bowser can also create reserve capacity for periods when the mains supply cannot keep pace with demand.
Taking advantage of scheduled deliveries before storage reaches a low level reduces reliance on emergency response. Read our guide to emergency livestock drinking water.
Hot weather can increase both livestock demand and the temperature of stored water.
Appropriate tank positioning, suitable storage and regular turnover helps to prevent water from warming excessively. Keeping drinking systems well maintained also supports easy access to water for animals.
Farmers should monitor troughs and storage during warmer periods because cattle and other livestock may drink more as temperatures rise.
Good storage management can also reduce unnecessary water losses and help farms save water during periods of higher demand.
Yes. Universal Tankers provides emergency bulk water delivery where an existing supply has failed or cannot meet demand.
If you require a quote or have a general enquiry about our services, please complete the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, call one of our experienced staff on 0800 180 4474 or, from Scotland, 01236 434422.
Our strategically located depots across the UK ensure that no matter where you are, our high-quality water delivery & wastewater services are just a call away. Our teams are equipped and ready to provide swift and efficient service.
Call us free on 0800 180 4474 or 01236 434422 from Scotland