Although the drinking water is of high quality when it enters the plant, it risks deteriorating on the way through the stables. The water can be attacked by bacteria (from the animals themselves). Biofilm can form and provide fertile ground for even more bacteria. The attacks can make the animals sick, but also impair their ability to absorb the nutrients from the feed. Contaminated water affects the entire feed supply and can cause high-quality (often expensive) feed to be unable to feed the animals as intended. The effect is that the animals have to put energy into fighting bacteria/virus attacks, they feel worse, and production is disrupted. In the long run, drinking water that is subjected to regular bacterial infestations can also affect and interfere with animal reproduction