 Since public water supplies are regulated by the Environmental
Protection Agency, only water from private wells will qualify for
screening.Nitrate is a compound of oxygen and nitrogen that can
be found in drinking water. At elevated levels, nitrate can pose the
greatest health threat to infants and to women who are pregnant.
Some sources of nitrate in drinking water are farmland fertilizer
runoff, decaying plant debris, animal feedlots, sewage disposal
systems and wastewater. It is not uncommon for well water to contain
elevated levels of nitrates, and the best way to determine if your
well contains high levels is to have the water tested.
To qualify for screening, simply fill a clean jar or container
with at least 3 ounces of tap water, cover it and bring it with you
to the environmental health exhibit at the health fair. Your sample
of water will be analyzed on-site. The screening will help determine
if your well water contains elevated or unsafe levels of nitrate. If
your water screening indicates nitrates may be above the acceptable
level, a water test kit will be provided to you at no cost so you
can have your water tested to verify the actual level.
For more information, contact the Logan County Department of
Public Health at 217-735-2317.
[Text from file received from
the
Logan County Department of Public
Health]
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