Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) has been found to survive
longer in water and mucus, compared to other materials like soil
and metal. If a persistently infected animal is present in your
herd, mucus harboring the virus could transmit BVDV to other
animals that share the same waterer. “Cleaning water tanks is
very important for many reasons including food safety, animal
performance and general upkeep of facilities,” says Dan Thomson,
veterinary researcher at Kansas State University. An article in
the May-June 2012 issue of Bovine Veterinarian looks at BVDV
survival in water tanks in a feedlot setting. However, the
information and advice on disinfecting water tanks is applicable
to dairy operations as well. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, May-
June 2012