NITRATE AND YOUR DRINKING WATER

Nitrogen is an essential element for all living things. Nitrogen when combined with oxygen in natural processes becomes nitrate. Nitrates found in drinking water may be from fertilizers, animal wastes, human sewage or mineral sources. Excess levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause health problems for people. Infants younger than six months of age are the most susceptible to nitrate toxicity. To protect health, the nitrate drinking water standard has been set at 10 milligrams per Liter (mg/L) of nitrate-nitrogen. Milligrams per Liter are also referred to as parts per million (ppm). Water treatment or an alternate source of drinking water should be obtained if your drinking water nitrate level is above the drinking water standard.

BACTERIA AND YOUR DRINKING WATER

Bacteria are a very diverse group of microscopic organisms. Some bacteria are very beneficial, others can cause disease. The EPA standard for bacteria in drinking water is zero for a group of bacteria called coliforms. The presence of coliform bacteria indicates the contamination of the water source. Coliform bacteria includes fecal coliforms that are found naturally in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Of special importance is the fecal coliform Escherichia coli, E. coli for short. E. coli are found in large numbers in human sewage. When detected in a drinking water sample, E. coli indicates that water is potentially polluted from sewage contamination. Harmful disease causing organisms may be in the water and even E. coli may cause disease. Your water sample will give you results for total coliform and E.coli. All positive water samples require action to protect health. It is important to contact your local health agency for more information.