If well water is contaminated by fertilizer runoff, septic discharges, or animal waste, it could put babies at risk. Consider this:
Test your well-water for nitrates! (via Bryan Swistock)
Nitrate is a natural chemical compound present in almost all water, but high levels in fertilizer runoff, septic discharges, or animal waste can leach into groundwater. If it gets into drinking water, it puts infants at risk for blue-baby syndrome, a condition preventing them from getting enough oxygen.
Bryan Swistock of Penn State Extension says nitrate is not absorbed through the skin.
Swistock: “You can shower in the water.”
But if levels are high, use bottled water for drinking and cooking.
Nitrate has no smell or taste, so the only way to know if you have a problem is to have your well tested. Boiling does not help, so water treatment may be the only solution if you have nitrate in your water.
Hear More:
Bryan Swistock describes ways to avoid the dangers of nitrates in your well water.
Get Schooled:
- Get the facts on well water nitrates with this factsheet from Penn State Extension
- Learn more about nitrate testing and effects with this Water Research Center article
The Fine Print:
- This segment is produced with Cornell’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, and made possible by the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.
