DRINKING WATER WARNING
CITY OF ST. JOHN Water has high levels of Nitrate
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA
Water sample results collected 6-13-2011 showed nitrate levels of 11 mg/L. This is above the federal nitrate standard or maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg/L. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.
What should I do?
▪ DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.
▪ Water, Juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.
▪ DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.
▪ Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants because they can not process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.
What happened? What is being done?
Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including septic systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year. We’ll let you know when the amount of nitrate is again below the limit. EBH Engineering has been contracted to design a Nitrate Removal System for the city.
Additional testing will be done per KDHE requirements. Due to seasonal fluctuations in nitrate levels, this well may return to the allowable nitrate level.
For more information, please contact: Mel Chesbro at (620) 549-3208 or mailing address: 115 E 4th St., PO Box 367, St. John, KS 67576.
Please share this information with all other people that drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or by mail.
This notice is being sent to you by CITY OF ST. JOHN.
State Water System ID#: V7000 Federal ID#: KS2018502
Date distributed: 06/24/2011
