How much water do dairies use?
Exact water use depends on the specific dairy operation, but New Mexico dairies are required to submit meter readings to the Office of the State Engineer and to the New Mexico Environment Department. Dairy cows drink between 25 and 50 gallons of water per day, depending on the weather, volume of milk production, weight of the cow, etc. Additional fresh water is used to wash the cows, wash the milking barn (including tanks, lines, etc.), and to flush the feed lanes. Of the total amount of water used at a dairy, approximately 50% is discharged to the lagoons. This water is combined with irrigation water to grow feed crops for the dairy cows. In contrast to other types of water users, fresh water from dairy supply wells is used several times over, rather than just once. In addition to drinking water, fresh water is used to wash the barns, tanks and lines and is then used to flush the feed lanes. After the wash/flush water is discharged to the lagoons, it is used again for irrigation.
