Water testing and screening
Water testing and screening
The Ranch Diagnostics Lab partners with the Texas A&M Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory to provide microbiological testing for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliform bacteria, as well as screening for cyanobacterial hepatotoxins. in livestock drinking water.
Water is the most important nutrient livestock consume, and both water availability and water quality are essential for maintaining animal health and productivity. Water quality plays an important role in maintaining water consumption, and numerous components can influence water intake and overall animal performance (NASEM, 2016). Routine monitoring can help identify contamination before it becomes a larger issue and support timely management decisions.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). 2016. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
E. coli and Total Coliform Analysis
Contamination of water sources may occur through fecal contamination from livestock or wildlife, runoff following rainfall or flooding, decaying organic matter, or inadequate maintenance of water troughs, tanks, ponds, and other water storage systems.
Total coliforms are indicators of the sanitary quality of a water source, while E. coli, a fecal coliform bacterium, provides more specific evidence of fecal contamination. Together, these indicators can help identify water sources that may require further investigation or corrective management.
This service is designed to help livestock producers monitor water quality, identify potential contamination issues, and make informed ranch management decisions. It is intended for livestock water monitoring and is not a regulatory certification test for human drinking water.
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Why test livestock water?
Clean, high-quality water is essential for maintaining animal health and productivity. Contaminated water may reduce water consumption, decrease performance, and increase the risk of exposure to microorganisms that can cause disease.
Routine water testing can help producers:
- Detect fecal contamination in drinking water
- Monitor water quality over time
- Evaluate water after flooding or heavy rainfall
- Investigate unexplained health or performance issues
- Monitor water quality during drought or periods of low water availability
When should you test?
Producers may consider testing water:
- As part of routine herd management
- Before livestock begin using a new well, pond, or water source
- After heavy rainfall or flooding
- After observing signs of feral hog activity, such as wallowing or fecal contamination, in or around ponds or other surface water sources.
What we measure
Total Coliforms
Total coliforms are a group of bacteria commonly found in soil, vegetation, and the digestive tract of animals. While most total coliform bacteria are not harmful themselves, their presence may indicate that a water source has been exposed to environmental or fecal contamination and should be further evaluated.
E. coli
E. coli is a specific type of coliform bacterium commonly found in the intestinal tract and feces of animals. Its presence in water is considered a strong indicator of recent fecal contamination and suggests that other microorganisms that can cause disease may also be present.
Water sources accepted for E. coli and total coliform analysis
Samples may be submitted from:
- Stock tanks
- Water troughs
- Ponds
- Wells
- Storage tanks
- Pipelines and water distribution systems
- Other livestock drinking water sources
Cyanotoxin Screening
The Ranch Diagnostics Lab partners with the Texas A&M Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory to offer screening for cyanobacterial hepatotoxins in livestock water sources.
Cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, are naturally present in many freshwater environments, including ponds, lakes, reservoirs and stock tanks. Although they are common, they are not always visible, and water that appears clean or clear may still contain cyanobacteria or harmful toxins.
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Why screen for cyanotoxins?
Under favorable conditions, cyanobacteria can form harmful algal blooms (HABs) capable of producing toxins. Blooms are becoming increasingly common in Texas ponds and stock tanks, particularly during warm weather and periods of elevated nutrient levels. Exposure to these toxins can result in illness, reduced performance, or even sudden death in cattle and other livestock.
Harmful algal blooms have become an increasingly common concern for Texas livestock producers and can result in illness or sudden livestock losses if left unrecognized. Cyanotoxin screening can help producers:
- Investigate suspected harmful algal blooms.
- Evaluate ponds, tanks, and other livestock water sources.
- Support management decisions before animals are exposed.
- Determine whether common cyanobacterial hepatotoxins are present in the water sample.
Early detection can help producers identify potential risks and take corrective actions before significant livestock losses occur.
What we test
Our screening assay detects the presence or absence of cyanobacterial hepatotoxins in water samples.
The assay screens for multiple cyanobacterial hepatotoxins, including toxins within the microcystin and nodularin groups. These hepatotoxins are among the most common cyanotoxins affecting livestock and are a leading cause of cyanotoxin-related livestock deaths.
Important: This is a qualitative screening test. It determines whether hepatotoxins are present but does not measure toxin concentration. A negative result does not guarantee that the water is free of all cyanotoxins. This assay does not detect other cyanotoxin groups, such as neurotoxins, and cyanobacteria may begin producing toxins after the sample is collected. However, because the laboratory method includes a digestion step, toxins contained within cyanobacterial cells can be detected even if they have not yet been released into the surrounding water.
Water samples accepted for cyanotoxin screening
Water samples may be submitted from:
- Stock tanks
- Farm ponds
- Livestock troughs
- Reservoirs
- Other freshwater sources used by livestock
