Drinking Post Automatic Waterer Installation in Idaho
Idaho Sprinkler Repair is proud to partner with Drinking Post, the original American-made manufacturer of frost-free automatic livestock waterers. As experienced water line and irrigation professionals, we provide expert Drinking Post waterer installation throughout the Boise and Treasure Valley area.
Since 1974, Drinking Post waterers have been keeping livestock hydrated in the harshest conditions. Their patented design works like a frost-free yard hydrant — your animals push a paddle to fill the bowl with fresh water, and when they stop drinking, the remaining water drains back below the frost line. No standing water means no algae, no mosquitoes, and absolutely no freezing — even at -50°F without a single watt of electricity.
Why Choose a Drinking Post Waterer?
- Zero electricity required: No heating elements, no extension cords, no electrical bills — operates entirely on water pressure and gravity
- Frost-free to -50°F: Perfect for Idaho’s harsh winters where temperatures regularly drop well below zero
- Fresh water every time: Water drains back after each use, delivering clean 50°F groundwater with no stagnation
- No algae or contamination: Since water doesn’t sit in the bowl, algae and bacteria simply cannot grow
- Built for all livestock: Models designed specifically for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, and pigs
- Made in the USA: Manufactured in Colorado with all American-sourced parts and a 5-year warranty
- 50+ years of proven performance: The longest field-tested non-electric waterer in existence
- Minimal maintenance: No floats, no heating elements, no moving parts to break down
A Drinking Post waterer works reliably even in harsh winter conditions — no electricity needed.
How the Drinking Post Works
The Drinking Post operates on the same proven principle as a frost-free yard hydrant, engineered specifically for livestock:
- Animal activates the paddle: Your horse, cow, goat, or other livestock pushes the paddle with its nose or head
- Valve opens below frost line: A stop-and-drain valve at the base of the unit opens, allowing pressurized water to flow up
- Bowl fills in seconds: Fresh, clean water fills the drinking bowl in just 5-8 seconds at a constant 50°F
- Animal drinks: Your livestock drinks fresh groundwater at the ideal temperature — studies show animals drink up to 40% more water at 50°F vs. near-freezing
- Water drains back: When the animal releases the paddle, the valve closes and all remaining water gravity-drains back below the frost line in 30-45 seconds
- Unit is empty: Nothing left to freeze, nothing for algae to grow in — ready for the next drink
Installation cross-section: the water supply and drain valve sit below the frost line for complete freeze protection.
Drinking Post Models We Install
In-Ground Automatic Waterers
The primary Drinking Post product line installs permanently in the ground with the water connection below the frost line. Available in sizes from 6ft to 10ft to match your local frost line depth and animal height requirements.
- Horse Waterer: Large paddle design for easy nose activation — horses typically learn within hours
- Cattle Waterer: Heavy-duty construction built to withstand the force and weight of cattle
- Sheep & Goat Waterer: Smaller bowl and livestock paddle attachment for smaller animals
- Alpaca & Llama Waterer: Specialized design for the unique drinking habits of camelids
- Pig & Hog Waterer: Robust design that withstands rooting and rough use
Sizing for the Treasure Valley
In the Boise and Treasure Valley area, Idaho’s frost line ranges from 30-42 inches depending on your elevation and specific location. We typically recommend:
- 6ft Drinking Post: Ideal for most Treasure Valley installations at lower elevations
- 7ft-8ft Drinking Post: Recommended for higher elevations around Eagle, Star, or foothill properties
- 9ft-10ft Drinking Post: For mountain properties or areas with exceptionally deep frost lines
Portable Drinking Post
The Portable Drinking Post connects to a standard garden hose and requires no digging. Available in 2ft and 3ft heights, these are perfect for rotational grazing, temporary paddocks, or properties where permanent installation isn’t practical.
Goats quickly learn to use the paddle-activated waterer.
A single waterer can serve multiple paddocks when installed at a fence line.
Our Professional Installation Process
As licensed irrigation and water line professionals, we handle every aspect of your Drinking Post installation:
- Free Site Assessment: We evaluate your property, identify the best water source, measure distances, and determine the optimal waterer location for your paddocks and pastures
- Water Line Planning: We design the supply line route from your pressurized water source (requires 25-65 PSI) to the waterer location, ensuring proper depth below Idaho’s frost line
- Excavation & Trenching: We dig the installation hole and trench for the supply line, going well below the frost line for complete freeze protection in Idaho’s climate
- Leach Field Construction: We build the gravel drainage bed beneath the waterer (minimum 3ft x 3ft x 1ft) so water drains properly after each use — this is critical for the frost-free function
- Waterer Installation & Plumbing: We set the Drinking Post unit, connect the 1/2″ water supply line with stainless steel fittings, and ensure proper drainage
- Testing & Animal Training: We test the complete system, verify water pressure and drainage timing, and walk you through the training process so your livestock learns to use it quickly
Professional installation ensures proper burial depth and drainage below Idaho’s frost line.
Why Professional Installation Matters
While a Drinking Post waterer is a well-engineered product, proper installation is critical to its frost-free performance. The most common reasons waterers freeze are improper drainage and insufficient burial depth — both installation issues, not product failures.
Our team brings years of experience with underground water lines, trenching, and drainage systems in Idaho’s specific soil conditions, including the rocky, clay-heavy soils common throughout the Treasure Valley. We ensure:
- Burial depth exceeds your local frost line by at least 18 inches
- Leach field is properly sized for your soil type (larger for clay soils)
- Water supply line is properly graded and insulated where needed
- All connections are watertight with proper backfill compaction
Drinking Post Installation Pricing
Complete Drinking Post waterer installation typically costs $1,500-$4,000, which includes:
- The Drinking Post waterer unit ($439-$779 depending on model and size)
- Supply line materials (PEX or poly pipe, fittings, shut-off valve)
- Excavation and trenching below the frost line
- Gravel leach field construction and drainage
- Professional installation, testing, and training
The total cost depends on the model selected, distance from water source, soil conditions, and site accessibility. We provide free on-site estimates so you know the exact cost before any work begins.
Drinking Post vs. Traditional Stock Tanks & Heated Waterers
- Annual electric cost: Drinking Post: $0/year vs. Heated tank: $300-$900/year
- Algae cleaning: Drinking Post: None ever vs. Stock tank: Weekly scrubbing required
- Freeze risk: Drinking Post: None (to -50°F) vs. Heated tank: High if power fails or heater breaks
- Water freshness: Drinking Post: Fresh every drink vs. Tank: Stagnant, days old
- Daily maintenance: Drinking Post: None vs. Tank: Check heater, break ice, scrub algae, refill
- Fire risk: Drinking Post: None vs. Heated tank: Electrical fire hazard in barns
Most livestock owners recoup the full cost of a Drinking Post installation within 2-3 winters through electricity savings alone.
Idaho-Specific Benefits
- Brutal winters: Treasure Valley temperatures regularly drop below 0°F — a Drinking Post works to -50°F without electricity
- High electricity costs: Tank heaters add $50-$150/month to your electric bill all winter long
- Rural properties: Many Idaho livestock operations don’t have convenient electrical access near paddocks and pastures
- Water quality: Idaho’s mineral-rich groundwater at 50°F is far more appealing to livestock than stagnant surface water
- Power outages: Idaho winter storms cause outages — your Drinking Post keeps working when the power goes out
- Active livestock culture: The Treasure Valley is home to thousands of horse, cattle, sheep, and small livestock operations
Authorized Drinking Post Installation Partner
As a Drinking Post installation partner, Idaho Sprinkler Repair combines our deep knowledge of Idaho’s soil conditions, frost lines, and water systems with Drinking Post’s 50+ years of proven product engineering. Every installation includes proper drainage, correct burial depth, and professional water line connections — the three factors most critical to long-term, trouble-free frost-free operation.
Ready to eliminate frozen stock tanks and algae-filled troughs? Request a free estimate or call us at (208) 513-6947 to discuss your Drinking Post waterer installation.
