Our analytical services provide our clients with the answers that they need to get the best results from the land.
Whether you are in the cattle or dairy industries, agriculture, or just need to find out what's wrong with your bore or town water, we're here to help.
We are able to help you identify what analyses are best able to diagnose the nature of your problem, develop an action plan to help rectify it, and provide you with the solution that will best suit your circumstances.
In the cattle industry, there is a wide range of reasons and circumstances where various forms of filtration are applied.
Mainly, dams and creek water where algae is present and you may have equipment or float valves that continually block. Sand, mesh or disk filters are available and should be used in these situation. They are also commonly used on cattle properties for the aesthetic removal of iron and other componentries that cause problems domestically.
Furthermore, filtration can be used at various locations to remove scale and shale formations that break off in pipelines and can cause blockages.
Suffering from Red Water, Black Water, staining, hard water, pipe blockages, iron & manganese bacteria problems or bio slime?
Ask us about the latest methods of solving these and other common problems...
pH & Conductivity Meter
Thirdly, we are beginning to identify good results in using these systems to reduce and even eradicate bicarbonates in water when used in conjunction with acid injection to lower the pH and the blast via venturi-type aeration in the tanks and vent off carbon dioxide which then stops the formation of bicarbonates and eradicates any bicarbonates present in the water.
This is very useful as bicarbonates have been identified as a reason why cattle do not drink or eat enough - much in the same way you don't have much of an appetite after having lots of fizzy soft drink because you feel bloated. Bicarbonates do this as they mix in with the acids in the cattle when they are drinking bore water in particular.
Flow meters are essential in the cattle industry if you want to be able to monitor whether your cattle are drinking enough.
Being that it is now recognised that water consumption is the major factor in promoting growth and weight gains on cattle, this becomes a critical issue, especially because it will help flag a shortfall in water quality that is affecting their intake.
We have water driven and powered equipment available for injection of water medication and mineral based supplements.
When these systems are water driven and there is no power available then they can be set up as portable units located at any particular manifold throughout the property. Where power is available, a stationary unit can be applied at the pump predominantly so that a smaller, more consistent injection rate can be applied early, particulary when acid injection is being used. This is important because the earlier you get acid into the system, the more effective and cost effective it will be.
The main advantage of the electric units is that they are geared with rubbers that can handle a stronger concentrate, whereas although the water driven units function without power at various other locations in the watering system, they have to be diluted both with chlorine and with acid.
Acid injectors are firstly used to control the pH for water medication purposes. Secondly, they are used to lower pH to enable water medication to be applied to water because when the water medication is applied to water with a high pH, the pH has a tendancy to break down the nutrient. We do add hydrochloric acid through the acid injectors for the purpose of lowering pH and controlling and buffering the pH at controllable levels to enable the water to be more palatable. This generally leads to the cattle consuming more and thus better weight gains.
Flow meters are also essential if you are feeding the cattle nutrients and are generally used in conjunction with water-medicating units to be able to identify and meter and trigger the injection of various supplements and water trreatment aids.
Aerations Systems are used in three major categories in the cattle industry.
Firstly, they are used to bring the dissolved oxygen level up to a satisfactory level to stop fermenting of water or getting to the point where it will start to decay and smell which will have a negative impact on consumption levels.
Secondly, we use them for oxidising heavy metals to drop them out of the water and make the water more usable domestically around the farm. Similarly, using them to improve the taste of the water by removing metallic traces can also have a strong impact on cattle's consumption rates.
The Fluid Reactor's results in the cattle industry speak for themselves. Go to our Magnetic Fluid Reactor page for detailed information, and browse through how it has helped cattlemen with a range of water quality issues.
Outside its direct value in improving bore water quality, it is designed to optimise:
• Irrigation Systems
• Dairy Hot water
• Laundries
• Ice Making
• Hydroponics
• All Commercial Boilers
• Heat Exchangers
• Cooling Towers
• Distillers/Chillers
• Engine Cooling System
No chemicals - Excellent for the environment
No power required - No power connection
No Costly down-time - Continuous operation
No salt softeners - No re-current expenditure
Permanently - Cannot wear out
Maintenance free - Scale free - Corrosion free
Install the Fluid Reactor for maximum performance.
Performance Guarantee
Virtual Lifetime Guarantee!
Developed by water quality specialists for the Australian cattle industry.
Did I get that mix right?
Is the dispenser working correctly?
Smell ammonia? Is the urea making it to the trough intact?
Presently you're relying on your calculations, flow meters,and dispensing equipment to be accurate. But if ammonia is present anywhere in the system all this could be wasting time and money.
Each drop of Titration Solution is equivalent to 100 ml (= 0.1g/l) of Urea.
10 drops = 1g/l so if your animal is drinking 40 lp/day then they will be receiving 40 grams of Urea p/day. However, if Ammonia is present the kit will deduct this as a background from the test giving an accurate measure of the true amount of Urea being consumed as Urea not ammonia.
Sending samples off to have them tested is problematic and often inaccurate. To test for available urea at the trough you must first take a sample and freeze it to holt the conversion process. After which you then have to somehow transport the sample to an authorised lab for analysis which, after all your good intensions, can take several weeks and around $85 per sample. By this time the batch you're testing has been consumed, hopefully without tragic and costly stock losses.
Gundrill Trading can supply Conductivity and pH meters, Mineral Test Kits and Specialist Urea Test Kits. In fact, a comprehensive range of meters is available from us including test strips, count tablets for calcium and many other test parameters you may require. We can also conduct an introductory training session on equipment usage if you need it.
EC & Conductivity Meter
EC & Conductivity Meter*
Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the U-100 test kit, variation and interferences may occur with variation in water supplies. The manufacturer, their distributors and agents cannot and do not accept responsibility for any reactions or mishaps resulting from these variations or from the mishandling of materials within the test kit.
* The Green EC Sharp TDS meter provides a more detailed reading than the CD600
Basic Water Analysis:
Our basic water analysis service conducts tests that give results for the following
EC (Conductivity)
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)
pHORP (MV)
Total Hardness
Calcium
Total Alkalinity
Chlorides
Iron (Soluble)
Nitrates
Copper
Phosphates
Free Carbon Dioxide
Dissolved Oxygen
Manganese
Saturation Index
Full laboratory Analysis (This Includes all of the above Plus):
COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)
Phosphorus
Ammonium-N
Aluminium
Magnesium
Potassium
Sodium
Trace Elements
Boron
Cobalt
Iodine
Molybdenum
Selenium
Silica
Sulphure
Tin
Vanadium
Zinc
Toxic Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Beryllium
Bismuth
Cadmium
Chromium
Germanium
Gold
Lead
Lithium
Mercury
Nickel
Platinum
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium
Thallium
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
How to take your sample:
Gently fill a bucket or trough with water to be tested. Fully submerge a 500ml bottle and place cap on bottle under the water avoiding all air bubbles if possible.
Do Not use a juice or milk bottle, soft drink bottles are fine. Post the same day as sample taken if possible. If you have any further queries please don't hesitate to contact us.
Here at Gundrill Trading Pty Ltd, we provide an extensive range of products and services to the Australian cattle industry, including the following:
1 Micron, 5 Micron, 10 Micron, 25 Micron Sediment Filters are used for prevention of loose particle matter from water supplies. The secondary role is to protect the more expensive carbon filter, that will follow.
1 Mic 5 Mic 10 Mic Carbon Block Filters are the standard taste & odour cartridge for most under sink or counter top applications. When Gardia and Crypto aren't of concern.
5 Mic (GAC) Granulated Activated Carbon Ideal for tank, town and bores where higher flow volumes are needed.
Silver Carbon Ideal on tank water or where bacteria is creating a problem. Silver prevents bacteria colonizing the carbon which lead to taste problems. Sub micron protection from Gardia-Crypto cysts. Also reduces lead and many other problem elements - Top of the range filtration.
House water filters
Drinking water filters replacement cartridges carbon and sediment, RO, Membranes and parts
Poly fittings Valves & taps Filter strainers, tapping saddles.
Aeration systems
Magnetic water treatment
Iron filtration systems
Bore water treatment
Magnets
Water Medicators
Acid Injectors
Water softeners
Water flow meters
Chlorine injectors
Chlorine Tables
Algae treatment
Water test equipment, Conductivity salinity pH meters, colorimetric titration kits for most perimeters
Urea test kits for water medication
Cable ties
Stainless steel hose clamps all sizes Tridon brand
Pool Filters, chlorinators, poly fittings, Ozone treatment, Chlorine Tabs and liquid Chlorine.
Gundrill Trading has a wide range of water optimising products and services that cater for most circumstances, be it making bore water more palatable, removing iron or removing bacterial content from tank water and the like.
We can diagnose what issues you may be facing with your current domestic water supply and then provide any necessary services as listed to the left to help correct them.
We provide a full set of options in domestic water filtration, including under and above the sink models as well as systems that can filter water for the entire house. We can organise installation for you, and provide you with all after sales service including replacement filters that best suit your needs
There is an extremely wide range of filtration available to suit every application. Here is a brief rundown, but for a more precise application to suit your personal needs, we suggest to call and speak with Ian, and he will point you in the right direction.
* Counter Top Single Unit for town water supplies
* Single Under Sink Kit suitable for all town water chlorine and chemical reduction
* Twin Under Sink Filter Kit suitable for gardia-crypto protection. Town, bore and rain water applications.
* Single Filter for use on rain water tank (Outdoor Use only) Either use a sediment filter if you have particles in
your rain water, or a Silver Carbon if taste is an issue.
* Twin Filter Kit for use with flick-mixer, or to run through your original cold water tap. You need some extras
such as flex. lines and adaptors to mount this unit
* Reverse Osmosis - complete reduction of minerals. This reverse osmosis kit will allow you to drink perfectly
safe water where ever you go. It's portable, can be wall mounted or run from a garden hose. We have
designed this unit to offer the maximum in filtration without the complications of installation
* Complete Reverse Osmosis kit for under the sink installation. Complete reduction of minerals and chemicals
for perfect drinking water all year round. Town Supply or bore water.
Calcite filtration is used in a variety of circumstances from domestic, farm water to Industrial water for pH correction, to acid water conditions where pH is lower than 7.
The media is calcite rock which is filled not higher than 300mm from top neck of the cylinder.
The low pH water enters the chamber by a simple 40 mm manifold, flows through the calcite rock which automatically dissolves and corrects the pH to a level at or above 7.
The unit has a back flush head to enable periodic flushing to remove any sand, grit, or other impurities that may accumulate. Port hole entry allows access to the top of the vessel for topping up of calcite at least annually. Post washable or disposable filter should be fitted after unit for domestic use to avoid calcium dust from clouding water.
This is internationally recognized as the most successful and safest method of correcting low pH and corrosive water conditions. The vessel is a spun wound fiberglass unit tested to 600kpa. The manifold is UV stable, durable plastic.
This unit may be installed by water quality specialists or simple self installation.
Backed by national dealer support team for your benefit.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration is generally applied in domestic situations underneath the sink, but also can be applied on a wall mount in circumstances such as above a laundry tub.
Both are very economical and sought-after solutions to water quality issues, particularly if the water in question has a high mineral content. If you aren't comfortable in drinking those minerals, the best quality water available is recognised worldwide as being derived from reverse osmosis - it is in fact even better than distilled water.
Using membranes, reverse osmosis strips out 98-99% of all mineral content from the water being filtered. Some pre-treatment may need to be applied, however, particularly where iron is present, but we also offer this service onsite where it is diagnosed as necessary.
Reverse Osmosis can also be applied to the whole house, thus making it much easier when it comes to showering, washing and any other domestic application. Although this form of system is more expensive, we can tailor a system to your exact needs in terms of the number of litres required per day.
AQUALEC WATER TREATMENT
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Advantages for bore water and irrigation water
The AquaLec electrolytic process requires a water solution containing electrolytes to pass throughh a vessel with an AquaLec Reactor fitted inside. An electrolyte is a salt molecule with a positive
electrical charge [cation] or a negative electrical charge [anion]. A low current electrical charge is applied to the reactor resulting in an exchange of electrons occurring between the cations and
anions. This exchange of electrons alters the physical state of the salts and they behave in a
different manner. See catalogue for more detail.
Can both be successfully achieved with the use of our Mangetic Fluid Reactor.
Condition your pool or spa the natural way - Energised living, therapeutic water is totally natural and can turn your pool or spa into a daily energy bath.
The Fluid Reactor:
• Kills Bacteria
• Kills Algae
• Stabilise pH
• Improve Water Clarity
• Dissolve Swimmer Waste
• Remove scum and scale
• Protect Equipment
• Reduce chemical costs
• DIY Installation
For more detailed information on Magnetic Fluid Reactors, please call us, or visit our Magnetic Fluid Reactor page.
Ultraviolet Sterilization can be applied as an added precaution to Reverse Osmosis or twin water filter systems.
It is recommended to be used on unsterilised tank systems because tank water can harbour bacteria and "All of House" filtration can also build up a bacteria content over time. Generally it isn't normally hazardous, but when the quantities do grow over long periods, without any form of sterilization they can become a health issue.
As a safeguard to that, ultaviolet systems should be applied to drinking water via an under the sink or an all of house units.
What quality is needed?
CLEAN WATER - The water must be free of sediment, and quite clear.
SOFT WATER - The water, preferably, to be very low in calcium, magnesium and no iron present for dairy shed cleaning. For stock water, making minerals available, allows animal to better absorb these.
BACTERIA FREE WATER - The water must be either free of pathogenic bacteria, commonly known as E coli, coliforms and other ungrouped bacteria, particularly for calf water.
ALGAE FREE WATER - All sorts of parasites and toxins will be released from algae affected water supplies. This most certainly needs to kept out of dairies but also out of the stock water where possible.
Why all these items?
Because they are the minimum requirements for the effective and efficient operation of a dairy shed, and aid better animal health.
Soft water washes more effectively and helps keep the system free of scum and fat and protein build-up, as it mixes better with detergents and rinses more effectively. Softened water can also help dramatically reduce the incidence of bacteria in the wash system by the presence of scale. If it has no anchorage, then it has no place to live. Soft water also saves on power, detergents and maintenance on dairy equipment. It keeps the operating bottom line down.
Bacteria affected water will introduce pathogens to the cleaning system, whether rotary or herringbone and lodge in fittings. There, they will multiply rapidly and causes contamination pick up as the milk passes. They can also infect the cow through the udders with milking equipment. Bacteria has been detected in vats, flexible lines, cups and collector bins. Once the water is treated, the bacteria count falls dramatically and can be eliminated completely. These bacteria must be kept out of the system and therefore out of the water supply used to clean it.
Soft, clean water allows the minerals to be better absorbed. Water that has a high count of bacteria, reduces overall herd performance. They are losing some portion of the benefit of protein in their food to fight pathogenic bacteria in the gut.
Algae can release toxins into the intestine of the cow, exactly where you do not want it.
Stock benefits from clean, bacteria free water, algae free, soft water.
How do you achieve this standard?
We can correct your existing supply. Most bore water supplies can be treated and behave very much like tank water but can be softened with a good quality softener
It can have the iron, etc, removed where brown staining occurs (usually with the softener).
It can have the bacteria removed if any exists.
It can have sediment removed.
Do I have a good supply of dam water?
It may be very dirty, suffer algae, be hard and have iron and bacteria also present, but it can be cleaned up.
We can filter it, treat it, soften it, remove the calcium, iron and bacteria and again, you finish with soft, clean bacteria free water, that you can actually drink, if need be.
I have town water that is affordable, but it's hard - what can I do?
Again, we can filter it, if need be, then soften it for more effective use.
How do you actually do this?
We need to visit the premises to assess the plumbing system and water supply you are using, taking asking the questions of:
Does the water travel after it comes out of the bore?
Does the current system make it worse? (encourage bacteria growth)
Are there any filters in the system? Do they work?
Where and what are the existing problems?
We then perform some testing on-site, such as flow testing, some screen water testing. We then take the necessary samples. These are tested by a water science laboratory, for accurate analysis. This also includes bacteria testing. Bacteria examination may need to be carried out as locally as possible due to time constraints.
We evaluate this information and then provide a recommendation and layout of equipment needed, cost this plus installation and the re-current costs of yearly operation.
What results should I likely expect?
A solution creating good quality water that is clean, soft, and bacteria free and constantly available providing the dam or the bore does not dry up. We cannot always make water perfect but we can make it work better.
What equipment can you provide me with?
We have a wide range of water treatment and filtration equipment at our disposal. Filters, alone on water such as bore water, really offer little value to the quality. For dam water, they are usually needed to keep the sediment levels out.
Water softening can be achieved two ways: Automatic, computerised and water operated softeners, or magnetic conditioning for large flows, or stock water. We can also, where applicable, help via the use of Water sanitisers, Chlorine Dosing pumps, Ultra violet sanitisers, Ozone, Filters, Reverse Osmosis (makes bottled grade water out of bore, or dam with some pre-treatment), Aeration For dams, and tanks; and via other solutions not listed here.
What expertise is needed to really fix my problem?
There is an absolute requirment to understand water chemistry and biological behaviour to place the appropriate equipment together in sequence to get effective results. There is also a need to have extensive knowledge of the dairy industry, operation of a dairy shed and the needs associated with this. We have that expertise, through experience and achievements, over many years of dairy water quality issues solved.
Most of our water softener sales currently go into dairy farms for the wash cycles, for both cold and hot water. Most of the dosing pumps are used there also and some for stock water treatment.
We have a good knowledge of the operation and behaviour of water heated in Wilson and Edson hot water services, Raypacks, boilers, heat exchangers and the separate vat hot water units; the need for regular anode replacements, servicing this equipment. We also have experience in:
Using magnetic water treatment as an effective tool in water treatment, where needed.
Being able to choose the correct disinfection system to suit a particular bacteria affected water quality problem.
Ultimately being able to relate to dairy farmers and gaining their trust is important to us and for their benefit.
What action can I take?
Talk to us, request a site visit. Talk to our happy customers. You go as far as you feel you need to. Many are stopping at water softeners. Other including dosing systems. Don't simply assume the problem/s you are experiencing can't be fixed.
Chlorinated Water
Why is town water chlorinated?
To provide a bacteria free water supply to the point of consumer use.
Why chlorine?
It is very cheap, more effective and offers long-term residual benefits to the end of the line consumer/user than any other form of disinfectant.
What impact does it have?
A huge impact! It disinfects all bacteria when it enters the supply. It can enter the supply in different forms, from the earlier method of sodium hypochlorite, to chloramine gas, chlorine dioxide, etc. It kills bacteria on contact, then the chlorine residual effect takes over as it travels down the pipe to the user. Bacteria, generally cannot survive in this atmosphere.
It becomes free chlorine as we know it when it hits the water supply and as an acid it pulls the pH of water down slightly. Chlorine is also an oxidiser. We can taste the residual of free chlorine and smell it as it gasses off. It oxidises in the water and that is how it creates the smell as we recognise it. The presence of free chlorine helps keeps the water bacteria free.
How do they/we measure its strength?
It is measured in parts per million or ppm in the water and can vary in strength across any town. It can also be measured with an oxidising test (ORPs) meter. It can measure very low in some areas and very high in others.
What are reasonable test levels?
The ideal ppm level is between 0.2 to 0.5ppm free chlorine as it is best known. A high level is in excess of .8ppm. At this level it can become very noticeable by smell and taste.
Examples: 0.4ppm of free chlorine in the kitchen tap is within the recommended limits and would measure about 329 on the oxidisation scale. The chlorine odour would be moderate but apparent.
It can also test 1.2ppm which is quite high and 689 as an oxidizer reading. The odour would be quite strong. People can suffer from dry skin and hair showering at this level. It can affect sensitive stomachs.
Is chlorination good for us?
Only by reason of the fact that it has the ability to provide a bacteria free water supply. Chlorine is non-selective. It kills all bacteria, both good and pathogenic.
Can it be deleterious to health?
Chlorine is a chemical and a poison and when you drink chlorinated water it can kill off the natural flora in your stomach.
Chlorine in water at certain times of the year, usually during summer will produce higher levels of disinfection by products (DBP's) such as chloroform, halogens which react with "organics" (the food we eat) to produce small amounts of plaque. This settles in the arteries and can cause problems such as heart disease. Some researchers claim links of DPB's to cancer.
No long term study (more than 10 years) was ever completed on the effects of chlorinating water supplies by authorities to guarantee no long term ill effects to the consumer. By comparison, these studies have not successfully rebutted claimed links to any deleterious impact.
Other studies have claimed chlorinated supplies have direct links to disease. One is the direct link between chlorine and bladder cancer. Study the internet and find out more for yourself.
Are we at risk drinking and bathing in it?
Every time you consume chlorinated water, you are effectively drinking some proportion of chlorine in water. Now you know that it can kill off the natural bacteria in your gut, and where there has been direct links claimed to bladder cancer, the answer of course is?
When are you at greatest risk?
You will ingest 70% more chlorine from bathing in a poorly ventilated shower or bathing location than drinking. If the levels of chlorine are high, you can end up with dry flaky skin. That is an obvious sign that the residual level is too high for you.
In the long term, the authorities will tell you that you are much better off with a chlorinated water supply than not and the benefits of a bacteria free water supply are obvious.
Known facts of a chlorinated water supply: Chlorination does not guarantee a cyst free, completely bacteria free water supply. Maintenance of major supply pipes is still needed to keep these areas clear of scale that develops and creates an area for bacteria, etc., to anchor and grow. This cleansing is conducted regularly by supply authorities as air blasting.
Chlorine levels in the town water supply can vary considerably as they adjust the input levels trying to maintain the bacteria free quality level required and this varies seasonally. This agreed level is signed off with WHO as an international charter. Chlorine not only has to deal with bacteria but also organic matter in the supply so it can be lost or used on route in the supply line. So is it guaranteed to kill all bacteria? Not at all. However, they (the authorities) do their best.
What's your personal view?
I do not recommend that anyone drinks chlorinated water if you are not happy to do so. If you believe that it is having a deleterious impact on you? Do you feel happy about it? Does it feel natural or right to you? Are you concerned over your families health?
If any of these questions raise any doubt, then make a decision. Our bodies were never meant to deal with chemicals like that. Chlorine is simply a cheap method of disinfecting the water supply and this method is not going to go away in the short term.
It may provide a bacteria free water supply, but I believe that when you are concerned, then remove it at the point of use, whether this is your house or place of work. Do not rely on your bodies defence mechanism to filter it out. Our bodies tell is (usually) what we do and do not like, by reaction. For health's sake, for you and your family, take notice.
So we must deal with it by way of removal. Carbon filters are a start. The soaring sales of bottled water is a clear indication of how many people are dealing with the unwanted taste of chlorine in the water supply. They stop drinking it!!! Many are still at risk showering it it and bathing in it.
How do I remove chlorine from the home or office water supply?
Carbon filtering will always remove the harmful and unwanted effects of chlorine. Carbon filtering will always be much more economical than bottled water.
How do we do this?
Carbon drinking filters provide for elimination of chlorine.
A good quality carbon filters system will last up to 12 months. It should contain a sediment filter to protect the carbon following. This is called a twin under-sink (plumbed in) filter system complete with special faucet.
This unit operates on ¼" food grade tube, to slow the flow rate, and allow the carbon to work at its maximum potential.
If your concerns are nothing more than drinking water, then the twin under-sink filter is the most popular. We can plumb in most places or DIY with complete instructions.
The next is the KDF shower filter. What is KDF? A very high performance filtering compound that instantly neutralizes chlorine and harmful chemicals and softens water. Simply fit to the shower point as a complete system with rose.
If you seek high purity bottle grade water, or like the taste of it and the water in your town is a little hard, then a reverse osmosis under-sink is ideal. Nothing compares with the taste of this quality water, as it strip the majority of the mineral base of the water. This is must for those who seek or medically need, high purity water.
Whole of home systems can protect the house. This is done by way of replaceable and refillable cartridges, both sediment and carbon filters, respectively.
Manual backwash carbon filters are cartridge free systems that you back flush by lever once per week to a fortnight. This filter system will last for up to 5-7 years before technician service is required.
Fully automatic systems are also available that you simply do not touch. These have the same service life as a manual backwash system and also needs a drain and a surge protected power point for the computerised clock and valve system.
