Livestock producers learn very early that animals will foul their drinking water. This may explain why checking an animal’s water and cleaning water troughs daily are primary goals of 4-H and youth livestock projects. Providing fresh, clean water to cattle requires the prevention of fouling (or contamination) from feed, manure, saliva, soil, and other pollutants. In addition, open-trough watering facilities can accumulate sediment, feed, bedding, and manure, creating a potential breeding ground for flying and aquatic insects. The reduction or exclusion of these contaminants can be accomplished with a water barrier.