Water requirements for the beef non-lactating beef animal will run from 0.75 to 1.5 gallons per 100 pounds body weight or 6 to 12 % of their body weight. Fall calving cows nursing calves may consume 18% of their body weight. Water consumption is dependent on climatic conditions, feed types, production level and salt intake. Water is an important nutrient! Decreased intake can adversely affect health, production and growth. 

 Water quality is important, not only in ponds, lakes and ground water but it is important in stock tanks and automatic waterers. 

Routine water analysis performed at the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory assesses: 

pH: Values outside the range of 5.1 to 9.0 may have an adverse effect on the digestive tract. 

Nitrates: 100 ppm should not harm livestock 
100 – 300 ppm should not harm livestock by itself but beware of additive effects when animals are exposed to foodstuffs containing increased nitrate levels. 

 Sulfates:  Increased levels may cause a transient diarrhea that subsides when adaptation occurs in 3 to 5 days. 

Water levels of 2000 to 2500 ppm and sulfate levels in foodstuffs allowing the animal to attain a of 4000 ppm or greater dry matter intake; can be associated with a neurological disease in cattle call Polioencephalomalacia. 

Chronic intake of elevated levels of sulfates can result in copper deficiency. 

Total soluble salts: 

Content of Waters 
(mg/liter)  Comment Less than 1,000:   These waters have a relatively low level of salinity and should present no serious burden to any class of livestock or poultry.

1,000 - 2,999:   These waters should be satisfactory for all classes of livestock and poultry. They may cause temporary and mild diarrhea in livestock not accustomed to them or watery droppings in poultry (especially at the higher levels0, but should not affect their health or performance.

3,000 - 4,999: These waters should be satisfactory for livestock, although they might very possibly cause temporary diarrhea or be refused at first by animals not accustomed to them. They are poor waters for poultry, often causing watery feces and (at the higher levels of salinity) increased mortality and decreased growth, especially in turkeys.

5,000 - 6,999: These waters can be used with reasonable safety for dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine and horses. It may be well to avoid the use of those approaching the higher levels for pregnant or lactating animals. They are not acceptable waters for poultry, almost always causing some type of problem, especially near the upper limit, where reduced growth and production or increased mortality will probably occur.

7,000 - 10,000: These waters are unfit for poultry and probably for swine. Considerable risk may exist in using them for pregnant or lactating cows, horses, sheep, the young of these species, or for any animals subjected to heavy heat stress or water loss. In general, their use should be avoided, although older ruminants, horses, and even poultry and swine may subsist on them for long periods of time under conditions of low stress.

More than 10,000: The risks with these highly saline waters so great that they cannot be recommended for use under any conditions.

Microscopic examination: will need a special request 

 Blue-green algae
 Cryptosporidia

Culture for presence of bacteria: will need a special request 

 Salmonella sp.
 Leptospira sp.

Obtaining a water sample for testing

Collect 1 or 2 quarts of water from the water in question. Have your veterinarian, county extension educator or self deliver or send to the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Stillwater, Oklahoma. We would encourage you to work with your local veterinarian as he will be able to interpret the results and assist you with attaining any further information. 

Drs. Sandra Morgan and Bill Edwards and their staff will provide you the results in a very timely manner.