✓Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com·Updated May 2026
JUG energy-free livestock waterer in use on a farm by Bakko Industries
JUG Waterers by Bakko Industries, Inc. For almost 3 decades, JUG Waterers have been providing horses with the freshest, cleanest water available to them. About Bakko Industries, Creator of JUG Waterer The JUG was developed in central Iowa in the early 1980s, and came on the market in 1984. Bakko Industries (a family owned company at Glenwood Minnesota) purchased the JUG product line in 2005. The JUG is marketed throughout the US, and Canada, mostly through Bakko's Territory Rep / Dealer Network. Open territory, and overseas sales are handled directly out of the Glenwood office. Bakko Industries continually strives to produce the highest quality products possible, and follows the sale with excellent, friendly, and informed customer service. Water is the most vital nutrient your horses can have! Even though you provide access to water for your horses, it does not necessarily mean they are staying properly hydrated. The quality of their water can deter them from drinking, thus limiting their daily intake for digestion, energy, and overall health.
How The JUG Works-- a Natural Drinking Design
Thanks to the open bowl design and unique draw tube water supply system, horses can see and smell clean, fresh water. No learning how to lift flaps or push balls or floats out of the way to get a drink. A horse simply places its mouth in the open pool of water in the drinking bowl and sucks up the water just as it would from a natural water hole.
Jug Is Designed To Provide Your Horse With Clean Drinking Water
JUG Waterers feature a weather-sealed water reservoir which blocks out sunlight. This virtually eliminates algae growth in the tank. Water is fed to the open drinking bowl through the draw tubes. These tubes are attached to the drinking bowl with a feed trap which keeps feed debris from the horse’s mouth out of the reservoir, thus reducing any bacterial growth. As a horse drinks from the JUG, a suction/swirling action is created in the feed trap area. This action causes feed from the face of the horse to be consumed as it drinks. And because water is "turned over" whenever a horse drinks, there is always clean, fresh water in the bowl.
Even though the design of our units keeps the water free from feed or hay, most water contains iron bacteria which will leave a residue in the tank over time. The external drain plug will allow you to easily drain water from the tank periodically. Once the unit is full again, an internal pilot-operated float valve automatically keeps the water in the bowl at the determined level. The water level is easily adjusted from the outside of the JUG.
Natural Thermal Energy-- NO "Electricity" Required!
Jug Waterers rely primarily on thermal energy (not electrical) to help regulate a constant water temperature. This means warmer water in the winter and cooler water in the summer for your horses to drink. This is accomplished through the following design features:
* Draw Tube Water Supply System- There are actually three draw tubes in the unit, two copper and one Cpvc. As the water gets cold in the bowl, it becomes heavier and sinks down the Cpvc tube, forcing warm water from the tank up the copper tubes and into the feed trap area and bowl. Since copper is an excellent heat conductor, heat is transferred during this water replenishment process, keeping the water in the bowl from freezing.
* JUG Earth Tubes - Stand-alone models are often installed with insulated and uninsulated earth tubes. These create a heat well under the unit which supplies additional heat from the ground. The insulated tube extends below the frost line, minimizing heat escape to the frozen ground in winter. When heat from the ground flows through the uninsulated tube into the heat well, it is used as additional energy to keep the water in the JUG fluid.
The JUG Saves You Money On Utility Costs!
In marginal climates you need enough horses to keep the water in the tank warm enough to provide heat energy (at least 15 head per bowl). Otherwise, a low wattage heater and thermostat are recommended.
Note: In 2021, a research study* performed and published in the Iowa Sate University Animal Industry Report concluded that JUG Waterer units with heat output (thermostat) control reduced the energy usage by 85% over a competitor’s waterers without thermostats or earth tubes. The JUG Waterer units cost only $0.11 per day to operate. The utility cost savings was over $110 during the study period.
*The study was conducted at Iowa State University Beef Nutrition Farm in Ames, IA from October 23 thru December 14, 2020.
With The JUG- You Get Quality at Every Turn!
The exterior design of our JUG Waterers, coupled with out patented clean water technology inside, promotes a natural drinking experience your horses will enjoy.
Our Stand-Alone Waterers come in three models:
Single Bowl, Double Bowl, and Four Bowl. The durable rotomolded polyurethane construction makes them tough on the outside, while weather-sealing keeps the inside free of dirt and debris. All three models are equipped with an anti-siphoning float valve to prevent back siphoning into your water supply. An exterior inspection plate can be easily removed for examination and service to the float valve. An external adjustment screw (to minimize the amount of water exposed to the weather) and drain plug are included for hassle-free maintenance.
What About JUG Waterer For Your Horse Stalls?
The same clean, fresh water technology of the stand-alone models are also offered in a stall version for your horse's stalls. . Available in both wall and corner mount, the Stall Waterers feature strong polyethylene construction with an 18 gauge stainless steel bite guard (which prevents damage from cribbing). With its 2 gallon reservoir and quick recovery float valve, the stall units offer plenty of water capacity for your horses. For colder climates (or if you have a cold barn), we offer a low 30-watt thermostatically controlled heated version for the assurance of frost-free water. And our insulated rise tube protects the water supply line from the cold. For warmer climates (or if you have a heated barn), our energy free version is the model of choice.
Of Course, We Have the Strongest Warranty in the Industry!
JUG Waterers are backed by the strongest warranty in the industry, along with the highest possible level of customer service. Due to the minimal maintenance features of the JUG, warranty needs are typically uncommon. However, should an issue ever arise, we offer the following against manufacturer defects:
* 2 Full Year Warranty on float valve parts and electrical components
* 15 Year Prorated Warranty on bases and lids
In addition, we offer a 60 Day Satisfaction Guarantee.If you’re not satisfied with the quality of our product or the water it provides, we will gladly buy it back from you within 60 days of purchase.
Now You Know The Facts, Don't Your Horses Deserve The JUG?
We believe they do! Best design, natural drinking, and most powerful warranty in the industry. Call us today and let us help your horse enjoy the benefits that JUG has to offer!
JUG energy-free livestock waterer in use on a farm by Bakko Industries
What makes the JUG Waterer different from an ordinary trough?
The JUG is an energy-free livestock and equine waterer built around a weather-sealed reservoir that blocks out sunlight, so algae and bacteria have nothing to feed on. As a horse drinks from the open bowl, a feed-trap design pulls leftover hay, grain, and debris away from the animal's mouth instead of letting it foul the water, and the supply is turned over with every drink to stay fresh. The result is the cleanest, clearest water a horse can find short of a natural spring. JUG Waterers have served horses for nearly three decades from Bakko Industries' shop in Glenwood, Minnesota.
JUG Waterer cutaway diagram showing copper and Cpvc draw tubes and heat wellWho builds the JUG, and where did it come from? The JUG was developed in central Iowa in the early 1980s and came on the market in 1984. Bakko Industries, Inc., a family-owned company at 28958 198th Avenue, Glenwood, MN 56334, purchased the JUG product line and continues to manufacture it in the United States. Alongside the JUG, Bakko carries Franklin waterers and cattle oilers and Champion tow ropes, with a stated mission of building futures for farmers and ranchers across North America. You can reach the company at or.
Horses drinking from a JUG automatic waterer in a paddock
How does the JUG keep water fluid without burning electricity?
Each unit uses three draw tubes, two copper and one Cpvc, to circulate water by thermal energy rather than a heating element. As water cools in the bowl it grows heavier and sinks down the Cpvc tube, forcing warmer reservoir water up the copper tubes, which conduct heat into the bowl and keep it from freezing. Stand-alone units pair this with insulated and uninsulated earth tubes that extend below the frost line and tap ground heat into a heat well, supplying still more free energy. With a minimum head count drinking regularly, the JUG runs energy-free, and even in marginal climates operators report roughly $10.00 of electricity for an entire season.
JUG single bowl rotomolded pasture waterer by Bakko IndustriesWhat is the JUG made of, and how is it built to last? JUG Waterers use durable rotomolded polyurethane construction with weather sealing that keeps the interior free of contamination. The stall version adds rounded edges and a stainless steel bite plate to stand up to horses that crib or chew. Bakko backs the product with a 2-year full warranty on the float valve and electrical components, a 15-year prorated warranty on bases and lids, and a 60-day satisfaction guarantee with a buyback option.
Which model fits your barn or pasture?
Pasture-style JUGs come in three sizes: a Single Bowl (7-gallon reservoir, 25" x 20" x 24", 53 lbs), a Double Bowl (14 gallons, 41" x 20" x 22.5", 76 lbs), and a Four Bowl (45 gallons, 39" x 37" x 22", 105 lbs) sized for larger herds. For inside the barn, the JUG Stall Waterer holds a 2-gallon reservoir with a quick-recovery float valve, a marked suggested water level, and corner-mount or flat-wall-mount options. Water can be plumbed from below through protective riser tubes or dropped in from overhead.
How do horses learn to use it, and what about hard freezes? Because the JUG presents an open pool of water, a horse simply lowers its muzzle and drinks as it would from a natural water hole, with no flaps to lift, balls to push, or floats to nose aside. For unheated barns, a 30-watt thermostatically controlled heated stall version guards against freezing, and an external drain plug makes off-season maintenance simple. Riser tubes are offered insulated (4" Schedule 80 PVC with spray foam) for cold climates or uninsulated (4" Schedule 80 PVC with a 2" Schedule 40 interior) for heated spaces.
The JUG was developed in central Iowa in the early 1980s and came on the market in 1984. Bakko Industries (a family-owned company in Glenwood, Minnesota) purchased the JUG product line in 2005. The JUG is marketed throughout the US and Canada — mostly through Bakko's Territory Rep / Dealer Network — with open-territory and overseas sales handled directly out of the Glenwood office.
How does the JUG provide a natural drinking experience?
Per Bakko Industries, thanks to the open-bowl design and unique draw-tube water supply system, horses can see and smell clean fresh water — no learning to lift flaps, push balls, or move floats. A horse simply places its mouth in the open pool and sucks up water just as it would from a natural water hole.
How is the water kept clean?
Per Bakko, the JUG features a weather-sealed water reservoir that blocks out sunlight — virtually eliminating algae growth in the tank. Water is fed to the open drinking bowl through draw tubes, which attach to the bowl with a feed trap that keeps feed debris out of the reservoir, reducing bacterial growth. As a horse drinks, suction and swirling pulls feed from the horse's face and consumes it. Water is "turned over" with each drink, so there's always clean fresh water in the bowl.
How does the JUG keep water from freezing without electricity?
Per Bakko, the JUG relies primarily on thermal energy, not electrical, via two design features: three draw tubes (two copper and one CPVC) — as cold water in the bowl sinks down the CPVC tube, warm water rises up the copper tubes (excellent heat conductors); and JUG Earth Tubes on stand-alone models — insulated and uninsulated tubes that create a heat well below the unit, drawing additional heat from below the frost line.
Is there research on JUG energy savings?
Yes. Per Bakko, a 2021 research study published in the Iowa State University Animal Industry Report found that JUG Waterer units with heat-output (thermostat) control reduced energy usage by 85% versus a competitor's waterers without thermostats or earth tubes. The JUG units cost only $0.11 per day to operate, with utility savings of over $110 during the study period (Iowa State Beef Nutrition Farm, Ames, IA, October 23–December 14, 2020).
What stand-alone models are available?
Per Bakko, three stand-alone models: Single Bowl, Double Bowl, and Four Bowl. Durable rotomolded polyurethane construction, weather-sealed against dirt and debris, equipped with an anti-siphoning float valve to prevent back siphoning into the water supply. An exterior inspection plate makes float-valve service easy; external adjustment screw and drain plug included.
What about a stall version?
Per Bakko, the same clean-water technology is offered in a Stall Waterer — wall mount or corner mount — with strong polyethylene construction and an 18-gauge stainless steel bite guard to prevent damage from cribbing. The 2-gallon reservoir and quick-recovery float valve provide plenty of capacity. A 30-watt thermostatically controlled heated version is available for cold barns; an energy-free version for warmer climates or heated barns. Insulated rise tubes protect the water supply line from cold.
What's the warranty?
Per Bakko, JUG Waterers carry: 2-year warranty on float valve parts and electrical components; 15-year prorated warranty on bases and lids. There's also a 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee — if you're not satisfied with the product or the water it provides, Bakko will buy it back within 60 days of purchase.
How do I reach Bakko Industries?
Call 800-JUG-6675 (800-584-6675), email [email protected], or visit bakkoindustries.com. Bakko Industries is at 28958 198th Ave.
What is a JUG Waterer?
The JUG is an energy-free automatic waterer for horses and other livestock, made by Bakko Industries, Inc. of Glenwood, Minnesota. It uses a weather-sealed reservoir and an open drinking bowl to deliver fresh, clean water year-round. Unlike open troughs, its sealed design blocks sunlight and removes feed debris to keep the water free of algae and bacteria.
Who makes the JUG Waterer and where is it manufactured?
The JUG is manufactured by Bakko Industries, Inc., a family-owned company located at 28958 198th Avenue, Glenwood, MN 56334. The JUG was originally developed in central Iowa in the early 1980s and came on the market in 1984; Bakko Industries later purchased the product line and continues building it in the United States. You can contact the company at 800-584-6675 or [email protected].
How does the JUG Waterer work without electricity?
The JUG circulates water using thermal energy through three draw tubes: two copper and one CPVC. When water in the bowl cools and becomes heavier, it sinks down the CPVC tube and forces warmer reservoir water up the copper tubes, which conduct heat into the bowl to keep it from freezing. Stand-alone units add earth tubes and a heat well that pull additional warmth from the ground below the frost line.
Will the JUG keep water from freezing in cold winters?
Yes. With a minimum number of animals drinking regularly, the thermal draw-tube and earth-tube system keeps the water fluid in most climates with no electricity. In very cold regions a small amount of supplemental heat may be used, and operators in marginal climates report spending only about $10.00 on electricity for an entire season. For unheated barns, a 30-watt thermostatically controlled heated stall version is available.
How does the JUG keep the water clean?
The JUG's reservoir is weather-sealed to block out sunlight, which virtually eliminates the algae growth that plagues open troughs. As an animal drinks, a feed-trap design creates a swirling, suction action that pulls leftover hay, grain, and debris away from the water rather than letting it settle in. Because the water is turned over with every drink, it stays fresh and clear.
How do horses learn to drink from a JUG?
There is essentially nothing to learn. The JUG presents an open pool of water in the drinking bowl, so a horse simply lowers its muzzle and sucks up the water just as it would from a natural water hole. There are no flaps to lift, no balls to push, and no floats to nose out of the way, which makes it far more intuitive than many ball- or paddle-style waterers.
What sizes and models of JUG Waterer are available?
Pasture-style JUGs come in three sizes. The Single Bowl holds 7 gallons (25" x 20" x 24", 53 lbs), the Double Bowl holds 14 gallons (41" x 20" x 22.5", 76 lbs), and the Four Bowl holds 45 gallons (39" x 37" x 22", 105 lbs). There is also a JUG Stall Waterer with a 2-gallon reservoir designed for inside the barn.
How many horses can one JUG Waterer serve?
Capacity is rated by herd size per bowl. The Single Bowl is rated for 25 dairy head, 50 beef head, or 75 sheep; the Double Bowl for 50 dairy, 100 beef, or 150 sheep; and the Four Bowl for 125 dairy, 250 beef, or 300 sheep. For energy-free operation, Bakko recommends a minimum head count drinking from each bowl regularly so that water turnover keeps it from freezing.
What is the JUG Waterer made of?
JUG Waterers use durable rotomolded polyurethane construction with weather sealing that keeps the interior free of contamination. The stall version features rounded edges and a stainless steel bite plate to resist damage from horses that crib or chew. This rugged, one-piece construction is designed to hold up to livestock abuse and the outdoors for years.
Is there a JUG Waterer made specifically for horse stalls?
Yes. The JUG Stall Waterer is built for inside the barn with a 2-gallon reservoir, a quick-recovery float valve with an adjustment screw, and a mark on the bowl showing the suggested water level. It is available in a corner-mount style that tucks into stall corners or a flat back wall-mount style. The same sealed, feed-removing water technology used in the pasture units is built into the stall model.
How is the JUG Stall Waterer installed?
The stall waterer mounts either in a corner or flat against a back wall. Water can be supplied from below through protective riser tubes or run from overhead through a drilled access hole. Riser tubes are offered insulated (4" Schedule 80 PVC packed with spray foam) for cold climates, or uninsulated (4" Schedule 80 PVC with a 2" Schedule 40 interior tube) for heated spaces, and an external drain plug makes seasonal maintenance easy.
Does the stall waterer need electricity to prevent freezing?
In a heated barn the stall JUG can run without supplemental heat. For unheated barns, Bakko offers a 30-watt thermostatically controlled heated version that switches on only as needed to keep the small 2-gallon reservoir from freezing. Its low wattage keeps operating costs minimal compared with conventional heated waterers.
What warranty comes with a JUG Waterer?
Bakko Industries backs the JUG with a 2-year full warranty on the float valve and electrical components and a 15-year prorated warranty on the bases and lids. There is also a 60-day satisfaction guarantee with a buyback option, so buyers can try the unit with confidence. The long warranty on the body reflects the durability of the rotomolded construction.
How much does a JUG Waterer cost?
Bakko Industries does not publish fixed retail prices on its product pages, so pricing is best confirmed directly with the company or a dealer. One independent reviewer reported a base model running in the neighborhood of $850 plus installation costs at the time of their purchase, though current pricing should be verified. Contact Bakko at 800-584-6675 or [email protected] for a current quote.
Can the JUG be used for animals other than horses?
Yes. The JUG is designed for livestock, equine, and game animals, and is rated by capacity for dairy and beef cattle and sheep. Independent users report it works well for cows, calves, horses, goats, sheep, llamas, alpacas, and donkeys, with the bowl sitting roughly 1.5 feet off the ground. Some users note even chickens and livestock guardian dogs drink from it successfully.
What maintenance does a JUG Waterer require?
Routine maintenance is minimal because the sealed reservoir and feed trap keep the water clean on their own. The float valve includes an adjustment screw for fine-tuning, and an external drain plug allows easy draining for cleaning or off-season storage. In extreme cold, ice can occasionally form in the bowl but breaks up easily, and Bakko recommends draining the unit when it will sit unused to prevent algae buildup.
How do I buy a JUG Waterer or find a dealer?
You can purchase directly through Bakko Industries by calling 800-584-6675 or emailing [email protected], or by visiting bakkoindustries.com. Their office hours are Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Bakko can help you choose between the Single, Double, or Four Bowl pasture models or the corner- and wall-mount stall waterers for your specific barn and herd.
