Martinsburg Municipal Authority     INCORPORATED 1936

Text Box:  P. O. Box 307 - 133 E. Allegheny St.                                        Telephone (814) 793-3213  Martinsburg, PA  16662                                                                           Fax (814) 793-4829                            

 

 

 
 

NITRATE DRINKING WATER WARNING

 

                                DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA.

 

                PADRES DE FAMILIA CON BEBES DE SEIS MESES DE EDAD Y MENORES, NO USEN EL AUGUA PARA PREPARAR ALIMENOS PARA BEBES. ESTE INFORME CONTIENE INFORMACION MUY INPORTANTE SOBRE SU AGUA DE BEBER. TRADUZCALO O HABLE CON ALGUIEN          QUE LO ENTIEND BIEN.

 

                The Martinsburg Municipal Authority water system has high levels of nitrate.

 

Sample results received on March 26, 2009 showed nitrate levels of 10.64 mg/L. This is above the nitrate standard, or maximum contamination level (MCL) of 10.0 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 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’t process nitrates in the same way adults can. However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may want 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 will let you know when the amount of nitrate is again below the limit.

 

The Martinsburg Municipal Authority has awarded a contract for the procurement of a new technology nitrate removal system. We have completed DEP mandated pilot testing of the equipment and will complete construction as soon as feasibly possible. This nitrate removal system has been chosen to best meet our needs today and in the future.

 

For more information please contact Randy Stoltz at 793-3213.

 

PWS ID# 4070030                              Date distributed: March 27, 2009

 

Note:  MCL's are set at very stringent levels for health effects.  A person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day at the

MCL level for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of having a related health effect. 

 

Nitrate can be found in water in many rural Pennsylvania communities and is the primary source of nitrogen for plants.  Although this contaminant is known to originate from various sources, agricultural practices are generally considered to be the most common source of contamination.  Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health concern for infants of less than six months of age.  High nitrate levels above 10 ppm in drinking water can cause "blue baby" syndrome.  If you are caring for an infant and have concerns about nitrate in drinking water you should ask for advice from your health care provider.

 

*10.2 rounds down to 10 and is not a violation