WNDU reported on an issue of St. Joseph County, Indiana ground water being contaminated with a high level of Nitrate.

There’s something wrong with a lot of the well water in St. Joseph County and health officials aren’t sure how to make it right.

“With our well testing we have a lot of wells that are very high in nitrates, which is a product of human waste and these wells are, would only get that coming from a septic system,” said Thomas Felger, M.D., St. Joseph County Health Officer.

Water tests are done whenever properties are sold in St. Joseph County and according to Felger; “We have a good 10 percent, I would say, testing pretty high.”

The CDC provides this information on Nitrates;

Nitrate and Drinking Water from Private Wells

 

What is nitrate?

Nitrate is a compound that is formed naturally when nitrogen combines with oxygen or ozone. Nitrogen is essential for all living things, but high levels of nitrate in drinking water can be dangerous to health, especially for infants and pregnant women. Nitrates are also made in large amounts by plants and animals, and are released in smoke and industrial or automotive exhaust.

For more information about nitrate illness and treatment, please visit EPA’s nitrate page.

 Where and how does nitrate get into drinking water?

Nitrate can occur naturally in surface and groundwater at a level that does not generally cause health problems. High levels of nitrate in well water often result from improper well construction, well location, overuse of chemical fertilizers, or improper disposal of human and animal waste. Sources of nitrate that can enter your well include fertilizers, septic systems, animal feedlots, industrial waste, and food processing waste. Wells may be more vulnerable to such contamination after flooding, particularly if the wells are shallow, have been dug or bored, or have been submerged by floodwater for long periods of time.

 

How can I find out whether there is nitrate in my drinking water?

If you suspect a problem and your drinking water comes from a private well, you may contact your state certification officer for a list of laboratories in your area that will perform tests on drinking water for a fee.

 

How do I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Nitrate may be successfully removed from water using treatment processes such as ion exchange, distillation, and reverse osmosis. Contact your local health department for recommended procedures.

Heating or boiling your water will not remove nitrate. Because some of the water will evaporate during the boiling process, the nitrate levels of water can actually increase slightly in concentration if the water is boiled. Mechanical filters or chemical disinfection, such as chlorination, DO NOT remove nitrate from water.

Remember to have your well water tested regularly, at least once a year, after installing a treatment system to make sure the problem is controlled.

Nitrate is a compound that is formed naturally when nitrogen combines with oxygen or ozone. Nitrogen is essential for all living things, but high levels of nitrate in drinking water can be dangerous to health, especially for infants and pregnant women. Nitrates are also made in large amounts by plants and animals, and are released in smoke and industrial or automotive exhaust.

As you can see, to reduce Nitrates from your water, you need a good water filter. Multi-Pure’s Reverse Osmosis system will insure that you are drinking, safe, healthy water.