There are six categories used to describe the water sources common to aquaculture.  Springs and wells are generally accepted as the best sources.  However, under proper conditions, river, lakes and streams; surface water, ground water; and municipal water are used.

Springs

Springs are sources of water exiting the earth's surface which flow by gravity toward sea level.  Springs may be low or high yield.   Optimally located, fish production facilities can be filled by gravity without the use of pumps.  However, pumps are used to lift water to production facilities at an elevation higher than the spring.

Pumped

If production facilities cannot be placed at an elevation lower than the spring, then the water must be pumped.

Advantages

• No predatory fish or insects
• Easier to find a construction site
• Constant temperature
• No pathogens

Disadvantages

• Pumping costs

Gravity

Production facilities located at an elevation lower than the spring may be filled by gravity.

Advantages

• No electrical or pumping cost to fill
• Production facilities may be drained by gravity
• Constant temperature
• No predatory fish or insects
• No pathogens

Disadvantages

• Greater consideration for site selection necessary

Wells

Wells are holes drilled through overlying geological formations to reach the underlying water table. Well depth may range from just a few feet to more than 1,000 feet. Very deep wells often provide hot or geothermal water. There are two main types of wells: artesian or pumped

Artesian

Water from artesian wells is under pressure and will not require pumping

Advantages

• No pumping cost
• No predatory fish or insects
• No pathogens

Disadvantages

• Dissolved gases like nitrogen and carbon dioxide
• Low to no dissolved oxygen

Pumped

Drilled wells will require the installation of a pump to lift the water to the surface.

Advantages

• Constant temperature
• High quality
• No predatory fish or insects
• No pathogens

Disadvantages

• Pumping costs
• May contain dissolved gases like nitrogen and carbon dioxide
• Low to no dissolved oxygen

Rivers, Lakes, and Streams

Rivers, lakes, and streams often flow considerable distances across many properties before being used as a water source. As a result, there is a much greater potential for contamination prior to being used by the aquaculturist.

Advantages

• Readily in large volumes
• Inexpensive

Disadvantages

• May contain contaminates or predators
• Excessive nutrients

Surface Water

Surface water originates from precipitation such as rain and is used to fill a storage pond. A storage pond can be used for fish production or as a reservoir for other production ponds.

Storage Pond for Production

Farm ponds and barrow pits can be used for fish production. If the ponds are too deep to harvest with seines, then fish may be grown in cages or pens.

Storage Pond for Supply

Farm ponds and barrow pits can be used to store water. The water is used to fill levee ponds. Most storage ponds require a 5-to 7- acre of watershed for each surface acre of water. The watershed must be protected from contaminates.

Advantages

• Inexpensive

Disadvantages

• May contain contaminates
• Susceptible to draughts or floods
• Requires 5-7 acre watershed per surface acre of water

Ground Water

In certain geographic regions, especially coastal areas, the water table is only a few feet below the earth's surface. Ponds dug into the water table fill naturally. Groundwater ponds require special construction and management consideration because they are dug into the existing water table.

Advantages

• Inexpensive
• No pathogens

Disadvantages

• Ponds are hard to drain

Municipal Water

Municipal water may originate from water sources that receive considerable filtration and sterilization for human consumption. Municipal water is of very high quality, but is more expensive on a per gallon basis than most other sources.

Advantages

• Very high quality
• No predators
• No pathogens

Disadvantages

• Expensive
• Chlorine and chloramines used for sterilization are extremely toxic to fish