It is important that livestock are provided with adequate amounts of quality water, free of contamination. Contaminated water can contain disease-causing organisms which can rapidly spread if animals are drinking from the same trough. If there is reason to question the quality of the water that is provided to livestock, it is important to test the water to ensure its safety. There are many chemicals and microorganisms that can be potentially dangerous to livestock. Some chemicals include nitrates, sulfates, and chemicals found in pesticides like DDT, Chlordane, and Endrin. Certain microorganisms such as blue-green algae, Cryptosporidium, or Staphylococcus, can be toxic to animals and cause symptoms like diarrhea, lack of coordination, labored breathing, or death (6). Ill animals can then release millions of infectious microbes into the soil that can further contaminate other water sources.