Suitability of Water for Livestock
Conventional water testing for livestock suitability includes: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Alkalinity, Nitrate + Nitrite, and Sulfate. The following guidelines can be used to assess the laboratory results and quality of the water tested.
| Parameter | Value, mg/L | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| TDS | <1,000 | Excellent for all classes of livestock |
| 1,000 - 3,000 | Satisfactory for all classes of livestock - may cause temporary, mild diarrhea in livestock not accustomed to the water. | |
| 3,000 - 5,000 | Satisfactory, but may cause temporary diarrhea or be refused at first; poor quality for poultry. | |
| 5,000 - 7,000 | Can be used with reasonable safety for dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine, and horses; avoid using with lactating animals. | |
| 7,000 - 10,000 | Unfit for poultry and swine; considerable risk for lactating livestock; should be avoided. | |
| >10,000 | Unacceptable | |
| Alkalinity | <2000 | Acceptable |
| Nitrate + Nitrite | <100 | Acceptable |
| Sulfate | <5,000 | Acceptable |