The water used in the dairy should be free of hazardous matter. If you are near an area which has a high risk of being contaminated, such as an industrial area, then you should test your water. If your water is drawn from a dam, be careful about any pesticides that could wash into the dam. Water containing chemicals above the maximum residue level allowable for drinking water should not be used for dairy water supply. Requirements for stock water Water is essential for the dairy cow's body functions, and for milk secretion.
Dairy cattle suffer more quickly from lack of water than from shortage of any other nutrient.
Lack of sufficient water will lead to reduced feed intake causing a decline in production. This may affect the milk quality, particularly somatic cell counts. Research has shown that the somatic cell count from an infected udder will increase as the production decreases. A shortage of water may also cause cows to become stressed leading to health problems which may affect milk quality. Good quality water is necessary to reduce the potential risk of spreading unwanted disease, bacteria and parasites.