Coverage, and pollination, will be heavy close to the hives, lighter as the distances increase. As an example, an orchard or field of twenty acres, using twenty hives for pollination, would be better served by two or three groupings of 6 to 10 hives than by one group of twenty. Water Bees need water in their daily lives, and will travel extensively to collect it and bring it to the hive. The hotter the weather, the more water used. Providing a water source in or near the forage area will reduce the need to travel and allow for more field bees to pollinate.
Bees seem to prefer warm, brackish water over cool, fresh water.
Water standing in ditches and wheel ruts in the vicinity of an orchard may be contaminated with pesticides from spraying. Care should be taken to eliminate such sources. If necessary, provide containers of water. Such containers should be constructed so that the bees can get at the water easily, without falling in and drowning. No two crops are precisely alike, either in their need for bees or in their attraction to bees.