Introduction
Swine farms across Manitoba and Saskatchewan reduced pre-weaning mortality from 15% to 6% after implementing Selectrocide in their drinking water systems. By addressing contamination at the source, farms were able to lower pathogen load, improve survivability, and stabilize overall herd health.
SMT’s Pure ClO₂
Ultra-Pure chlorine dioxide offers a different approach to disinfection compared to traditional chemistries like chlorine, acids, or stabilized ClO₂.
- Effective against bacteria, viruses, protozoa, spores, molds, and fungi
- Removes biofilm from tanks, pipes, and water lines
- Works at low concentrations with high efficacy
- Compatible with a wide range of materials and non-corrosive
- Leaves no harmful residues or chlorinated byproducts
- Bacteria cannot develop resistance due to its oxidative mechanism
Selectrocide is over 99% pure chlorine dioxide and is recognized for use in food systems, water treatment, and agricultural applications.
Objectives of Testing
Selectrocide was introduced into swine drinking water systems across multiple farms in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
These farms were experiencing:
- Diarrheal disease outbreaks
- Chronic weight loss
- Elevated piglet mortality rates
Other participating farms aimed to:
- Improve weight gain through better gut health
- Reduce veterinary drug costs
- Lower microbial contamination in water systems
The goal was to evaluate how improving water quality would impact overall herd health and performance.
Testing Methods
Selectrocide was applied directly into the drinking water systems using standard chemical injection systems.
Each farm followed a consistent treatment protocol:
- Shock treatment (20–50 ppm): Applied overnight to break down existing biofilm and contamination in water lines
- Continuous dosing (0.5–2 ppm): Maintained to control microbial levels and prevent regrowth
Dosing levels were adjusted based on each farm’s specific conditions, pathogen load, and treatment goals.
Results
The introduction of Selectrocide into swine water systems led to measurable improvements across all participating farms.
15% → 6%
Pre-weaning mortality
7% ↓
Overall barn mortality
0.5–1 ppm
Complete removal of E. coli from water lines
Additional outcomes included:
- Significant reduction in pathogens such as Salmonella, Streptococcus, and coliform bacteria
- Lower disease transmission between animals
- Improved survivability in newborn piglets
Cleaner water reduced pathogen load at the source, improving survival rates and stabilizing herd health.
Summary
Introducing Selectrocide into swine drinking water systems provided a simple and effective way to control contamination and improve herd performance. By removing biofilm and reducing microbial load, farms created a more stable and controlled environment for their animals.
This resulted in:
- Lower mortality rates
- Improved digestive health
- Reduced reliance on veterinary treatments
- More consistent performance across the herd
Study Conclusion
Selectrocide proved to be an effective water treatment solution for swine operations by targeting contamination at the source. Removing harmful pathogens from drinking water led to improved health outcomes, increased survivability, and reduced operational losses.
When water systems are clean, everything downstream improves. This study demonstrates that controlling water quality is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve productivity and herd health in swine operations.