Water Quality For Livestock In Extreme Heatwave Conditions

29 January 2026, AU: Most stock water from dams and this can be an issue in these hot weather events. It is important to monitor your stock to ensure they have good quality water. These extreme heat wave events can cause dams to “turn over”.

When a dam “turns over” during hot weather, the cooler, oxygen-deprived water from the bottom mixes with the warmer surface water, causing a rapid decline in water quality. This process, combined with high temperatures, often leads to a sudden, foul-smelling, and sometimes toxic, body of water that livestock will refuse to drink.

What Happens to the Water and Livestock:

• Unpalatability and Odour: The mixing brings up decomposing organic matter, causing the water to become cloudy and emit a foul, “rotten egg” smell (hydrogen sulphide gas). Livestock will avoid drinking this water, even if they are thirsty.
• Reduced Oxygen and Toxicity: The turnover leads to anaerobic (no oxygen) conditions, which can kill fish and other aquatic life. This, combined with potential blue-green algae blooms triggered by the heat and nutrients, can make the water toxic.
• Reduced Feed Intake: Because water consumption is highly correlated to feed intake, livestock that refuse to drink due to water quality will also stop eating, leading to rapid weight loss and poor health condition. 

Ensure livestock have access to clean, fresh water immediately, such as a bore, tank, or trough, to prevent severe dehydration. Aerating the water is the first step to improve quality. This can be done by pumping water from the dam, spraying it into the air, and letting it fall back to increase oxygen, or by using a floating aerator.

If possible, stop livestock from walking directly into the dam to drink. Pump the water to a trough, which prevents them from fouling the water with manure and makes it more palatable. If the water is dirty or muddy, adding a flocculent (like aluminium sulphate or gypsum) can make suspended particles settle out. 

If you suspect toxic blue-green algae, immediately isolate all stock from the dam and contact a veterinarian.

Disclaimer – important, please read:

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