Nitrates Pose Large Health Risk to Infants

KEARNEY, NE - In large farming and rural communities found throughout the Kearney area, waterborne contamination remains a constant risk. News cycles are filled with stories about herbicides, pesticides and pharmaceuticals that leech into drinking water sources – but area residents are reminded that all-natural elements do not equal worry-free.

Nitrates are organically created compounds found throughout the country’s watersheds, and can be extremely dangerous when found in high levels. Crop plants actually need large amounts of nitrogen and nitrates to sustain large yields, while fertilizers, manure and animal feedlots are also all common sources of nitrates.

With no taste or smell, nitrates can have adverse health effects if unchecked in your water. Infants, for example, cannot safely absorb nitrates because their stomach acid is not strong enough to convert it. Methemoglobin, or blue baby syndrome, should be of particular concern to parents living in areas with a history of nitrate problems.

“I have customers with high readings all over the Kearney area. For example, we recently had a customer that had a nitrate level of 26 milligrams per liter, when the allowable limit is 10 mg/l,” says Bronson Bosshamer, general manager of Culligan of Kearney. “Nitrates can be found in many different areas. Different variables need to be taken into consideration, and that is partly why we offer free testing here at Culligan.”

Bosshamer pointed out the fact that the EPA’s 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act supervises nitrate levels in municipal and city water utilities, but does not oversee private wells that serve less than 25 people.

“The burden is on the individual to ensure water quality for people who rely on a private well,” adds Bosshamer. “Consistent testing and vigilance will allow you to manage the risks and stay healthy.”

IL Publication Realizes the Need for Well Testing for Kids

I know there have been multiple posts about the importance of well testing, and please allow one more. It's one of those everyday aspects of life that gets overlooked until something goes wrong - and the Water Wise Guy/Culligan Man is proactive.

Check out this great story from the Land of Lincoln.It was published in the Freeport Journal Standard.

Moms and dads, make sure you have your water tested on a regular basis.

Is your well water safe?

"Local and national health experts say private well owners should test their wells regularly to ensure they are not exposed to contaminants such as coliform bacteria and high levels of nitrates.

An article in the June issue of the American Academy of Pediatrics journal urges the public to test their private wells, since bacteria and other contaminants can be especially harmful to young children. The article states that drinking water for roughly one-sixth of U.S. households comes from private wells, “of which there is little regulation.”

Well contamination should be of particular concern to rural residents because municipal water supplies, such as Freeport’s, are tested routinely by city water and sewer officials. The 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act, which regulates drinking water systems, does not apply to private wells serving less than 25 people, officials said.

“It does indicate by doing these tests if there is the potential for other contamination,” said Ed Specht, director of environmental health for the Stephenson County Health Department. “If there is bacteria present or the nitrate levels are high, this means there is the potential for other contaminants. There are major health concerns with coliform and E. coli bacteria. Nitrates are more of a concern for infants and pregnant women.”

Specht said the local health department offers well testing kits for sale to rural county residents who would like to test their water. The kits are $10 each and there is a $25 shipping charge to send water samples to a Springfield laboratory for testing.

Health department personnel can also collect and send in samples, but this costs about $85. Lab testing can indicate the presence of coliform bacteria and nitrates. The presence of coliform bacteria likely indicates a well sample has been contaminated by surface water or fecal material. Nitrates found in ground water are usually produced by agricultural fertilizers, livestock wastes, or septic systems.

Experts say that spring and summer are the best times to test for well contamination, because rain and melting snow causes excessive flooding. Older wells and shallow wells under 100 feet deep are particularly susceptible to contamination by surface water, officials said.


Finding Solutions

Specht, who regularly tests local wells, said health officials can help residents who find they have contaminated wells. Health officials can investigate the cause of the contamination and recommend solutions such as installing a reverse osmosis filtration system or an ultraviolet light treatment system. Specht estimated that 100 to 200 rural Stephenson County residents a year test their private wells.

The Jo Daviess County Health Department also assists residents with their well testing needs, said Sandra Nolan, a sanitarian for the department.

“We recommend testing water once a year because the levels can change throughout the year, especially for bacteria,” Nolan said.

Darvin Kiper, owner of Culligan Water Conditioning in Freeport, said his agency will also examine wells for area residents concerned about contamination. Bacteria and nitrates are the most common concern, but in rare cases area well water has been contaminated by arsenic or other more toxic substances, he said.

Hard To Detect

One of the major problems is that contamination can be hard to detect without lab-confirmed testing, Kiper said. Often, if the water doesn’t smell and seems to be fine, residents will drink it without having the well tested first, he said. Some houses out in rural Stephenson County have very old private wells, Kiper said.

Kiper said rural residents who use a private well should get their water tested if they haven’t already. Another option is to switch to bottled water for drinking, he said. Culligan can also help area residents fix the problem by installing infiltration systems or implementing other solutions, Kiper said.

For more information on well testing programs, contact the Stephenson County Health Department at (815) 599-0344, the Jo Daviess County Health Department at (815) 777-0283, or Culligan at (815) 235-7186."

Well Testing Urged By American Academy of Pediatrics

The June issue of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is urging people to test private wells, since different bacteria and contaminants can be very harmful to children.

“Drinking water for roughly one-sixth of U.S. households comes from private wells, of which there is little regulation. With proper care, well water is extremely safe. However, these wells can become contaminated by chemicals or pathogenic organisms.” – AAP (http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/june09wellwater.htm )

Furthermore, the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act, which regulates all drinking water systems does not apply to private wells serving less than 25 people.

Consult your local Culligan water expert about getting your well tested. The Culligan Man is familiar and respected when it comes to home water solutions.

Drugs in the Water Cont'd

H-2-Uh Oh!

This is a simple tally of all the reported contaminants found in our country’s water this year. Keep in mind, the year is only half over.

All of these pharmaceuticals, chemicals and compounds were reported in a variety of news and government sources, including the Associated Press and the US Geological Society.

From rat poison ingredients to rocket fuel, your drinking water is constantly assaulted by substances both regulated and non-regulated. While the 1974 Safe Drinking Water sets minimum standards for water quality, modern chemistry might
simply be outrunning the utilities.

On another note, some of these contaminants were prevalent in private wells, which do not have to pass the Safe Drinking Act’s requirements if the well serves less than 25 people.

Don’t chance it. Filter it.

• Atrazine**** (Welcome to the list!)
- America's most loved herbicide that has been known to disrupt hormones and cuase birth defects

• Anti-convulsants*
- Treats epileptic episodes, and now conveniently at your tap without a doctor’s prescription.

• Arsenic***
- Skin and circulatory system can be at risk with arsenic in the water.

• Boron***
- Affects gastrointestinal, reproductive and developmental functions – sounds exciting.

• Codeine*
- Powerful painkiller used in a variety of ways.

• Dichloroethylene***
- This agent used in dry cleaning chemicals has been shown to incur liver issues. Ask the people of Crestwood, IL how they feel about it.

• Hydroquinone*
- Everyone loves a little face cream in their water, right?

• Fluoride**
- Children could get mottled teeth. Utilities are actually reconsidering their fluoride policies these days.

• Iron***

• Lithium carbonate*
- Believe it or not, this chemical is actually used in fireworks because of the deep red flame it gives off upon combustion. Mmmmmm….

• Maganese****
- Can result in damaging neurological effects.

• Mood stabilizers*
- Who doesn’t want psychiatric medication coming out of the tap?

• Mercury**
- Drinking water with mercury can hurt your kidney functions.

• Nicotine Compounds *
- These compounds are associated with the production of nicotine patches.

• Nitrates***
- Infants younger than six months can become seriously ill with too many nitrates in the water. Babies beware.

• Perfluorochemicals**
- This substance is used to make firefighting foam.

• Perchlorates**
- Rocket fuel anyone?

• Pesticides***
- It’s just poison in the water.

• Radium***
- Increased risk of cancer when radium is regularly in your diet.

• Radon***
- Radon is shown to increase the risk of lung cancer.

• Sex hormones*
- Enough said.

• Strontium***
- Linked with abnormal bone development, fun to say and more fun to drink.

• Tetracycline hydrochloride*
- Treats acne and tastes great!

• Tranquilizers*

• Uranium***
- Shown in tests to increase the risk of cancer.

• Vanadium***
- Shown to stimulate cancer cells in animal tests

• Warfarin *
- Agent used in rat poison and also handy in blood thinner.

Wondering what kind of filters are right for you and your family? There are plenty of options out there, and you should consult an expert.

For example, Culligan’s reverse osmosis system, Aqua-Cleer, is the only filter on the market with a dedicated arsenic filtration membrane. So if arsenic is an issue in your area like it is in places like Minnesota, you may want to call your Culligan Man.

*Reported by the Associated Press; ** Reported by multiple sources; *** Reported by the US Geological Society, **** Reported by The New York Times