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Water is the most important nutrient for rangeland livestock. However, competition with municipalities, industry, and other water users often results in grazing livestock being forced to use water supplies that are less than perfect. Surface water in western rangleands are often contaminated by mineral extraction, irrigation runoff and other human activities. Mineral contaminants in drinking water are additive with similar contaminants in feedstuffs. The goal of this and the subsequent article is to provide producers and veterinarians with the basic background to make informed decisions about whether a given water supply is "safe" for livestock., Competing Interests: Disclosure This is a summary of 30 years clinical experience and literature review funded over the years by numerous small gifts from producers, and larger grants from the Wyoming DEQ and US Office of Surface Mining. I no longer have the details of all of these, and its been long ago enough that I don't feel it relevant., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)