For example, restricted-flow watering devices may become clogged by the buildup of minerals, sediment particles, or organic growth. Acidic water can cause pipes to corrode. Water that is highly alkaline or high in calcium and magnesium can cause scale to build up in pipes and on other equipment. Concentrations of total dissolved solids greater than 3000 milligrams per litre negatively affect the health and performance of livestock, causing greater urine output and, in dairy cows, lower milk production. They can, however, indicate organic or inorganic contamination and should not be ignored.
Trace elements are chemical elements normally present in very small amounts in living organisms.
Toxic substances may be found in water, either naturally or as a result of pollution from human activities. Common examples include arsenic, lead, mercury, hydrocarbons, and organochlorines. The Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for Livestock Water provide guidelines for substances such as trace elements and toxic compounds. If levels exceed the guidelines, animals may experience problems with productivity and health. Cattle, for example, are very susceptible to nitrate poisoning, since they convert nitrate into nitrite in the rumen, inhibiting the transport of oxygen in the bloodstream.