Dissolved solids can negatively impact livestock drinking water. To characterize dissolved solid concentrations in the northern Great Plains, we studied 45 water sources over 11 yr. Ca, F, Mg, Na, and total solids sometimes exceeded recommended levels but rarely reached levels empirically shown to negatively impact livestock. Fe often attained concentrations that reduce water consumption, which can reduce feed intake and weight gain. Excessive Fe was likeliest in creeks and reservoirs. SO₄ sometimes reached concentrations that reduce weight gain but rarely reached concentrations causing health problems. Excessive SO₄ was least likely in reservoirs. A safeguard against water quality problems is ensuring livestock can access multiple water source types (e.g., wells and reservoirs) so that they can use taste and smell to choose acceptable water. Where this is impossible, water quality monitoring is of greater importance. Inexpensive electrical conductivity meters roughly estimate water quality and can identify watering locations requiring more detailed monitoring.

溶解的固体会对牲畜饮用水产生负面影响。为了表征大平原北部的溶解固体浓度，我们研究了11年中的45种水源。Ca，F，Mg，Na和总固体含量有时会超过建议的水平，但根据经验显示，很少达到会对牲畜产生负面影响的水平。铁通常达到减少水消耗的浓度，这可以减少饲料的摄入量和增重。在小溪和水库中，铁的含量最高。SO ₄有时达到降低体重增加的浓度，但很少达到引起健康问题的浓度。SO ₄过多在水库中可能性最小。防止水质问题的保障措施是确保牲畜可以使用多种水源（例如水井和水库），以便他们可以利用味道和气味来选择可接受的水。在不可能做到这一点的地方，水质监测尤为重要。廉价的电导率仪可以粗略估计水质，并可以确定需要更详细监控的浇水位置。