An agricultural operation is dependent on not only the health of the livestock, but also the ecosystem of the farm and the area around the agricultural operation, and the farmers health. One very important topic is the quality of the water used for livestock consumption, irrigation, and the water consumed by the farmer. The quality of this water depends on the location of the operation, season of the year, local soils and geology, existing and historic land-use, farming practices, i.e., manure management, improper management, and the source of the water. In many cases, a surface water source may have significant variations in source supply and also source quality and be more vulnerable to contamination; whereas, a groundwater source may be less variable and less vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts.

Livestock / Humans

Livestock, just like humans, are vulnerable to water quality contamination. Microbiological sources of contamination can include Total Coliform, E. coli, algal by-products (HAB), other Bacteria like leptospirosis and fusobacterium, pathogens, and Viruses.

“Leptospirosis is an illness caused by the Bacteria Leptospira. Leptospira can enter the body through cuts and breaks in the skin, through consumption of water contaminated by urine or reproductive fluids, and through other mucous membranes, such as the eyes, mouth, and nose. In humans, Leptospirosis causes flu-like symptoms and in rare cases can cause Weil’s syndrome, which can be fatal. Leptospirosis can be spread between humans and animals and common animal vectors include cattle, pigs, dogs, reptiles, amphibians, and rodents. In farm animals, this disease has been associated with low milk production, infertility, and late-term abortion. Weil's disease is the acute form of Leptospirosis and causes the infected individual to become jaundiced, develop kidney failure, and coughing up blood depending where if the infection is located in the liver, kidney, brain, lungs, or heart.”

Fusobacterium necrophorum is a Bacteria pathogen to both humans and animals. In humans, this pathogen impacts the mucous membranes and in humans it can cause periodontal diseases, Lemierre's syndrome, and topical skin ulcers. “Lemierre’s syndrome occurs when you get infected by Fusobacterium necrophorumin your throat that when not properly treated spreads to lymph system. When these vessels carrying the lymphy system fluid become infected, they can’t properly return fluids that have leaked from bloodstream back into your circulatory system causing vessels to swell.” This infection spreads to the vessels in the neck where blood clots can form in the jugular vein or dislodge from the jugular and travel to the lungs where the infection can spread to the skeletal system, spleen, liver, kidney, heart, or brain.

In animals, the infection by Fusobacterium necrophorum and Dichelobacter nodusus is commonly known as “foot-rot.” Foot-rot is a contagious disease of cloven-hoofed mammals tdat causes inflammation of tde foot and subsequent lameness.” Dichelobacter nodusus bacterial source is typically the associated with the feet of other infected animals; whereas, Fusobacterium necrophorum is more typically associated with manure and contaminated soil.

Table 1 is a listing of the recommended animal drinking water quality limits for microbiological agents, salts, and metals.
Table 2 is the guidelines related to the total dissolved solids content of the water used for livestock consumption.
Table 3 is recommended limits for some specific organic contaminants in irrigation water.

Table 1 | Recommended Limits for Animal/ Livestock Drinking Water

Parameter	Units	Recommendation
Total Coliform	#/100 ml	< 200, but below 50 preferred
Fecal Coliform	#/100 ml	X
Fecal Streptococcus	#/100 ml	< 1
E. coli	#/100 ml	< 1
Algal Cells (Cyanobacteria)	Cells/ml	< 10,000
pH	Units	6.8 to 7.5
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	> 5 mg/L
Total Dissolved Solids	mg/L	< 500
Total Alkalinity	mg/L	< 400
Nitrate + Nitrite	mg N/L	< 100
Nitrite	mg N/L	< 10
Turbidity	ntu	< 30
Sulfate	mg/L	< 250
Phosphate	mg P/L	< 1
Color	PCU	< 75
Aluminum	mg/L	< 5
Arsenic	mg/L	< 0.02
Total Hardness	mg/L	< 500
Boron	mg/L	< 5
Beryllium	mg/L	0.1
Cadmium	mg/L	< 0.05
Chloride	mg/L	< 250
Chromium	mg/L	< 1
Cobalt	mg/L	< 1
Cooper	mg/L	< 0.5
Fluoride	mg/L	< 2
Iron	mg/L	< 0.3
Lead	mg/L	< 0.1
Manganese	mg/L	< 0.05
Mercury	mg/L	< 0.001
Molybdenum	mg/L	< 0.01
Selenium	mg/L	< 0.02
Uranium	mg/L	< 0.2
Vanadium	mg/L	< 0.1
Zinc	mg/L	< 25

Table 2 | Guidelines Related to the Total Dissolved Solids Content of the Water Used for Livestock Consumption

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)	General Guidelines
< 500	Preferred, not likely to be a problem
501 to 999	Slight salinity; there should not be a major risk to livestock / poultry
1000 to 2,999	Livestock mild diarrhea; there should not be a major risk to poultry
3000 to 4,999	Livestock may have diarrhea or refuse to drink; not recommended for poultry
5,000 to 6,999	Not suitable for lactating animals or poultry
> 7000	Not recommended

Table 3 | Herbicides in Irrigation Water Limits

Parameter	Units	Recommendation
Acrolein	mg/L	0.1
Amitrol	mg/L	0.002
Diuron	mg/L	0.002
Dalapon	mg/L	0.004

Testing Recommendations

1. Each potential source should have a comprehensive water test completed before using and you should order a Neighborhood Environmental Hazard Report.


2. If necessary, the appropriate water treatment system should be installed or improvements to surface water sources made to protect the source.


3. The raw water quality should be tested seasonally or at least annually and perhaps there should be regular (seasonal or annual) testing of the “treated” water quality.

Testing Recommendations

In-Home pH and TDS Meter
Hanna Instruments HI 9813-6N Waterproof pH/EC/TDS Temperature Meter Clean and Calibration Check

Testing Tools

Agricultural Testing - Hydroponics Testing
Pond and Lake Testing
Spring and Water Well / Groundwater Testing
Organic Farmers – We recommend testing for “Forever Chemicals”

References:

Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters, National Water Quality Management Strategy, ANZECC, 1992. (View PDF )

Agriculture Waste Management Field Handbook, Laws, Regulations, Policy, and Water Quality Criteria, Part 651, Chapter 1, Part 651, June 2009. (View PDF )

Beedem D.K., Evaluation of Water Quality and Nutrition for Dairy Cattle, 2019 (View PDF )

Schroeder, J.W., Water Needs for Quality Guidelines for Dairy Cattle, 2015. (View PDF )