How to Reduce Chloride & Sulfates in Water for Dairy Cows

Dairy cows consume between 35-45 gallons of water daily. Therefore, it is important to have their drinking water tested for chloride and sulfates. High amounts of chloride and sulfates can negatively affect the cows' health and milk production. One solution for reducing chloride and sulfates is water treatment.

Things You'll Need

  • Water samples
  • Test results
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Instructions

  1. Reducing Chloride and Sulfates in Water

    • 1

      Take two or more water samples near the wellhead and after the water has left the storage tank. Send these samples to a certified water laboratory for a standard "livestock water" analysis.

    • 2

      Take two more samples if the analysis shows chloride and sulfate concentrations higher than 500 ppm. Send the new samples to a different testing center and compare the sample results.

    • 3

      Calculate how much water your dairy uses each month.

    • 4

      Contact three or four water treatment companies. Explain the amount of water that will need to be treated and find out how long it will take. Ask questions regarding the chemicals and process the companies would use to reduce the chloride and sulfates. Find out about their long-term customer support. Hire the most knowledgeable company with the safest chemical treatment.

    • 5

      Continue to send water samples to a laboratory every two or three months for a livestock water analysis.