The infographic illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of four different cleaning methods for nipple drinks in pigsties with drawings. Dirt, heat and moisture in pipes and on drinking troughs provide ideal conditions for the propagation of germs in the so-called biofilm. Pathogens that have reached the drinking trough with saliva or nasal secretions from animals can survive there and can be transmitted to new animal groups.

The end pieces of the drinking equipment have particularly high germ loadings. In case of problems with recurrent illnesses after stabling, the end pieces should therefore be specially cleaned in addition to taking water samples and cleaning the pipes. Irrespective of the cleaning method used in the drinking facilities, the quality of the drinking water and the type and condition of the piping system is a decisive factor for animal health.

The infographic is licensed under a Creative Commons license CC BY-ND 4.0, i. e. it can be used without any changes, if the author is mentioned. The infographic is part of a series of five infographics on veterinary pharmaceuticals in the environment developed by Ecologic Institute for the German Federal Environment Agency.