Abstract

An improved livestock watering system is provided which is adapted to selectively circulate water between a reservoir and a drinking basin in response to the temperature of the water in the drinking basin so as to prevent water in the drinking basin from freezing during low temperature conditions, and to cool the water in the drinking basin during high temperature conditions. The livestock watering system comprises a housing, a drinking basin supported by the housing, a reservoir disposed within the ground so as to be positioned below the frostline of the ground, and a water circulation assembly for selectively circulating water between the reservoir and the drinking basin. A flow control valve, disposed in a lower portion of the drinking basin, is connected to a pressurized water source such that a substantially constant level of water is maintained in the drinking basin. A temperature sensing assembly adapted to sense the temperature of the water in the drinking basin is operably connected to the water circulation assembly such that the water circulation system can be selectively activated between an on mode and an off mode in response to the temperature of the water in the drinking basin.