Public water systems that have elevated nitrates in the water they produce and distribute are required to monitor the levels regularly.
If a nitrate concentration exceeds the maximum contaminant level (MCL), they must perform additional testing and, when the additional testing confirms that the levels are higher than the MCL, must issue a public notice.
The notice must state, first and foremost:
1. “DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS.”- Infants below the age of six months, who drink water containing nitrates in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill, and if untreated, may die.
2. “Water, juice and formula for children under 6 months of age should not be prepared with tap water.” -Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used until the nitrate concentrations are lowered to acceptable levels.
and…
3. “DO NOT BOIL THE WATER”- Because the nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates making the nitrates concentrations even higher.
A Potentially Lethal Combination
Those same public water systems are required to issue boil order public notices when fecal coliform bacteria have been found in the water supply, system pressures drop too low, and/or there have been main breaks or repairs that could allow contaminants to get into the distribution system.
The boil order notices, however, and the associated guidance to retail establishment, do not include any of the cautionary language about not giving the boiled water to infants.
When public water systems with elevated nitrates issue boil order public notices that do not include such cautionary language they could unintentionally be placing the health of some of their customers at risk.
Those public water systems should consult with IDEM as to what additional language should be issued with their boil order public notices to make certain their customers have the information they need to protect public health.
What Causes Nitrates?
Nitrate, a nitrogen and oxygen compound (NO3), is an essential nutrient for plants that is always present in our surface and groundwater supplies. Nitrates are normally produced in nature by lightening, and in groundwater the concentrations seldom exceed 3 to 4 milligrams per liter (mg/l).
[LINK] Download the Nitrate White Paper to learn more about elevated nitrate levels and what your community can do to reduce nitrate levels in the ground and water supply.
Best Practices and Additional Public Health Warnings
Utilities that produce water with elevated nitrate concentrations (5 mg/l and higher) should add language to their boil order public notices warning that the boiled water should NOT be consumed by pregnant women or infants!
Suggested Boil Order Language:
Boiling water can increase the concentration of nitrates in the water. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing high concentrations of nitrates could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Water, juice, and formula for children under six month of age should NOT be prepared with tap water that has been boiled. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants during the boil order period.
For more information on nitrates contact us at 317-788-4551 or contact Stanley S. Diamond, P.E., BCEE, at Stand@wesslerengineering.com.
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