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.”

New York Times Has Water High on Its Agenda

It popped into my Google Alert on Saturday afternoon: "Toxic Waters" by the New York Times. Interest piqued. I went on to read the series, and the depth and detail of the data belie how water has wandered into the paper's cross hairs. Here are just some of the Gray Lady's observations:

- 1 in 10 Americans drink contaminated water

- Well water is more at risk than municipal-provided water. (This is a point I can't urge strongly enough. Some state DNRs think less than 10% of people actually test their wells.)

- An estimated 19.5 million Americans "fall ill" every year to contaminated water.

These are just the latest in a series of stories about the water quality in the US, and people have taken notice. Atrazine was one of the big targets a few weeks ago, which quickly prompted a strong reaction from local, state and federal authorities all over the country.

Remember, the data above is just a sampling of the investigation, and I encourage everyone to do their research into their area's water history and issues.

Arsenic and H1N1

Recent studies show a link between H1N1 and high levels of arsenic. Officials and your local Culligan dealer urge you to get your well tested.

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."