In karst topography, sink holes, losing streams and porous soils may allow direct contamination of fractured rock aquifers. Water can serve as a reservoir for many different disease organisms and toxins. Stagnant water contaminated with manure or other nutrients may develop blue-green algae, which can poison livestock, causing muscle tremors, liver damage, and death. Farm pond water needs to be observed for the presence of algae and other harmful organisms during hot, dry weather. Leptospirosis and Fusobacterium are two bacterial contaminants that often use water and mud, respectively, as modes of transportation from animal to animal.
Leptospirosis is spread through urine of carrier animals.
This disease often manifests itself as reproductive problems. Problems may range from infertility, to low milk production, to widespread late-term abortion. The organism can survive for extended periods of time in surface waters. One should take care to avoid forcing livestock to drink from water sources that may be contaminated with urine. The bacterium is a soil-borne organism found virtually throughout the United States.