The importance of water intake for pigs is presented and the wastage done, the water intake of pigs, the drinking behavior and the types of drinkers are discussed. In order to reduce to a minimum the wastage, the management of nipple drinkers is necessary and the height of the nipple has to be varied with the animal body weight and can be determined for nipples mounted at a 90 degree angle using the following relationship: 15 * BW^0,33 cm (where BW is the body weight in kg). For downward mounted nipple the height is determined in cm using 18 * BW^0,33 which represents approximately 120% of the pig’s shoulder height. The height should be determined in order to accommodate the smallest pig in the pen. Flow rate should also be controlled in order to minimize the wastage. For nipple drinker, here are recommended values: for the nursery, 500 ml/min; for grow/finish, 700 ml/min; for gestation, 1000 ml/min and for lactation 1500 ml/min.

Means to reduce water wastage have to be considered as the excess manure produced has to be stored and subsequently spread. The extra water coming from spillage contribute only in more dilution of the nutrients in the manure. Useful management tips for nipple drinkers are presented here.