LV5: Pasture pumps and associated pipework
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-03)

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the pasture pumps and associated pipework item.

This item is part of Capital Grants. You must read the [Capital items: guidance for applicants and This item is part of Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2025) to understand the rules and how to apply. If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht) to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£295.90 per pump.

How this item benefits the environment

Providing livestock with an alternative to drinking from watercourses reduces bank erosion, sediment pollution and the faecal contamination of watercourses.

Where you can use this item

You can use this item either:
- in areas targeted for the reduction of water pollution caused by farming, where livestock are excluded from stream or surface waters
- to encourage grazing which helps to manage and restore habitats (in Higher Tier with the agreement of Natural England)
You cannot use this item to replace existing equipment in the same location.

What you must do to use this item

You must:
- install a low-lift, animal-operated pasture pump
- secure the pump to robust, preserved timber, for example to a sleeper or a post
- construct a hardstanding area around the pump of at least 1 square metre (m2)
- dig the hardstanding area to a depth of at least 150 millimetres (mm), or down to a naturally occurring hard surface
- compact hardcore on a geotextile liner to a depth of at least 150mm
- edge the hardstanding area with preserved timber (at least 150mm by 50mm)
- use medium-density polyethylene pipework with an external diameter of at least 25mm
- make sure all the joints are watertight and made from brass or plastic
Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide with your claim:
- photographs of the site during the different stages of construction or contracts, invoices or other documents confirming the technical specification for the completed works
- photographs of the completed works in place and installed
You must also keep and provide on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- photographs of site before works start
Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025) for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht).

Other items you can use with this item

You can use this item with these items:

LV7: Livestock troughs (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/livestock-troughs-lv7)

LV8: Pipework associated with livestock troughs (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/pipework-associated-with-livestock-troughs-lv8)

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

Use the pump effectively

A pump can lift water up to around 5m high and pump to up to 50m. One pump can provide 10 to 15 cattle with water. You may need to train livestock to use the pump.

During winter you should:
- remove the pump and store it to protect against frost damage
- make sure the pump is available for inspection after it’s removed
British Standards

Check to make sure the work meets relevant British Standards (https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/products-and-services/standards/).