Keeping your horse's drinking water clean is just as important as providing enough of it. Whether you use an IBC water bowser, a static water tank or a portable field water supply, regular cleaning helps reduce algae, dirt and bacteria while encouraging horses to drink more readily.
Clean water tanks routinely to help maintain fresh, palatable drinking water.
Frequent cleaning helps prevent algae and organic build-up during warmer months.
Fresh, clean water supports hydration and overall horse health.
Even crystal-clear water can leave behind sediment, dust, pollen and organic material over time. Warm weather can also encourage algae growth, particularly where tanks are exposed to direct sunlight. Without regular cleaning, this build-up can affect water quality and make horses less willing to drink.
Cleaning an IBC tank is usually straightforward and only takes a short amount of time when carried out as part of your normal maintenance routine. Regular inspections also provide an opportunity to check valves, pipework and fittings for leaks or damage before they become larger problems.
If your horses rely on transported water, you may also find our guide on How to Supply Water to Horses in Remote Fields useful when planning your water supply throughout the year.
Cleaning little and often is usually much easier than removing heavy algae or stubborn deposits that have been left to build up over several months.
There is no single cleaning schedule that suits every yard. The tank should be inspected regularly and cleaned whenever sediment, algae, slime, dirt or an unpleasant smell begins to appear.
Cleaning may be required more frequently during warm weather, when the tank is positioned in direct sunlight or where water remains standing for long periods. Tanks and troughs used by several horses may also become contaminated more quickly.
| Condition | Suggested Action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Water remains clear and fresh | Continue regular visual inspections and clean as required. | Problems are easier to correct before deposits become established. |
| Light sediment or surface dirt | Empty, scrub and rinse the tank and drinking trough. | Sediment can trap organic material and encourage further build-up. |
| Visible algae or slippery surfaces | Clean the complete system promptly. | Algae can affect the smell and palatability of the water. |
| After prolonged storage | Inspect, clean and rinse before returning the tank to use. | Dust, insects and stale water may remain inside the system. |
| After suspected contamination | Remove the tank from use and clean it thoroughly before refilling. | Horses should not be offered water of uncertain quality. |
Water can appear reasonably clear while dirt and slime remain around the tank walls, outlet valve or pipework. Inspect the complete system rather than checking only the surface of the water.
Before starting, move the horses to another drinking supply and park the bowser on firm, level ground. Allow enough time to empty, clean, rinse and refill the complete system before it is returned to use.
Drain the remaining water through the outlet and empty the drinking trough. Dispose of dirty water where it will not contaminate a watercourse, feed storage area or grazing used immediately by horses.
Rinse out as much loose dirt as possible before scrubbing. Pay particular attention to the bottom corners, outlet area and any surfaces where sediment tends to collect.
Use a clean brush reserved specifically for water equipment. Scrub the tank walls, base and accessible surfaces to loosen algae, slime and organic deposits.
Do not climb inside an IBC tank. Confined spaces can be extremely dangerous, and the internal surfaces should only be cleaned using safe access points and suitable long-handled equipment.
Open the valve and flush the outlet, hose and connected pipework. Use a smaller brush where accessible, as dirt and algae can collect around fittings even when the main tank looks clean.
Empty and scrub the trough, paying attention to corners, the float valve and the area around the water inlet. Remove grass, feed, insects and any slippery deposits.
Where disinfection is required, use only a suitable unscented product and follow its label instructions carefully. Never estimate concentrations or mix different cleaning chemicals together.
Rinse the tank, outlet, pipework and trough repeatedly with clean water. Continue until all loosened material and cleaning-product residue have been removed.
Check that the tank looks and smells clean. Inspect seals, hoses, valves and fittings for leaks or damage and replace worn components before returning the bowser to service.
Refill using clean water from a suitable supply. Flush a small amount through the outlet and trough, then confirm that the drinking system is operating correctly before allowing horses access.
Routine scrubbing and rinsing may be sufficient where the tank contains only light dirt or sediment. Where algae, slime or contamination is present, disinfection may also be appropriate.
University of Minnesota guidance describes emptying and scrubbing a horse water tank, rinsing it with a correctly prepared unscented bleach solution and then rinsing twice with clean water. Always check the strength and instructions of the product available in the UK rather than assuming all bleach products have the same concentration.
Never return the tank to use until it has been thoroughly rinsed and the water is clean, fresh and free from an obvious chemical smell.
Algae thrives in warm, bright conditions and is especially common during summer. Although regular cleaning is still necessary, a few practical changes can slow its growth and make the tank easier to maintain.
Any product used in a horse drinking-water system must be suitable for the task, correctly diluted and thoroughly rinsed away before the tank is refilled.
1. Only Cleaning the Trough
The trough may look dirty first, but algae and sediment can also remain inside the tank, outlet valve and pipework.
2. Using Too Much Chemical
A stronger mixture is not automatically safer or more effective. Always follow the product label and never guess the concentration.
3. Failing to Rinse Properly
Cleaning-product residue can affect the taste and smell of the water and may discourage horses from drinking.
4. Topping Up Stale Water
Repeatedly adding fresh water to old water does not remove sediment or organic build-up from the bottom of the tank.
5. Ignoring Valves and Hoses
Narrow fittings can trap dirt and slime even when the main tank appears clean, so they should be flushed and inspected too.
6. Using a Previously Contaminated IBC
Only use an IBC with a known, suitable history for horse drinking water. A tank previously used for chemicals or unknown substances should not be repurposed for livestock water.
Algae and bacteria can develop more quickly during prolonged hot weather, especially where water is exposed to sunlight or remains standing for several days.
For more summer water-management advice, read Watering Horses During a Heatwave .
Can you use an IBC tank for horse drinking water?
Yes, provided the tank has a known and suitable history, is clean, structurally sound and has not previously contained chemicals or other substances that could make it unsafe for livestock water.
How often should I clean an IBC water tank?
Inspect the tank whenever it is refilled and clean it whenever sediment, slime, algae, dirt, discolouration or an unusual smell appears. More frequent cleaning is usually needed during warm weather.
Can I use bleach to clean a horse water tank?
An appropriate unscented bleach product may be used where its label permits, but it must be diluted correctly and the tank must be rinsed thoroughly before being refilled. Never mix bleach with acids, ammonia or other cleaning products.
How do I remove algae from an IBC tank?
Empty the tank, loosen deposits with a long-handled brush, clean the outlet and pipework, disinfect if appropriate and rinse repeatedly with fresh water. Reducing sunlight and avoiding long periods of stagnant water can help slow future algae growth.
Can I pressure-wash the inside of an IBC tank?
A pressure washer may help loosen deposits where it can be used safely through the tank opening. Do not climb inside the tank, and avoid damaging the plastic, seals, valve or fittings with excessive pressure.
Should I empty old water before topping up?
Where water has become stale, dirty or has remained standing for an extended period, it is better to empty and inspect the system rather than repeatedly topping it up. Fresh water does not remove sediment already collected at the bottom.
How do I clean the pipework and trough?
Flush the outlet, hose and pipework while the tank is being cleaned. Empty and scrub the trough, including its corners, inlet and float-valve area, before rinsing the complete system thoroughly.
Can I use a second-hand IBC tank for horses?
Only use a second-hand tank when its previous contents are known and suitable. An IBC that previously held chemicals, oils or unknown substances should not be used for horse drinking water.
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