Drinking Water Warning Issued In Waterloo

City officials in Waterloo have issued a drinking water warning due to high levels of nitrate found in a well. They are advising residents NOT to give the water to infants under six-months-old or use it to make formula.

According to city officials, water sample results received on Friday (Nov. 6, 2015) showed nitrate levels of 10.7 mg/L at well No. 22 at 604 East Dale Street. This is above the 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, but city officials said there is currently no threat of high nitrate contamination in the drinking water. They confirm the Dale Street well run a total of six days this month (from November 1 through November 6), but has since been put on inactive status.

The following information is from the city of Waterloo Water Works Department:

What should the public 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’t 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. Waterloo Water Works officials will let the public know when the amount of nitrate is again below the limit.

Waterloo Water Works tests for nitrates monthly to let city officials know if the levels are at or above the MCL. As of today, the source in question, well #22, has been shut down and will not run until nitrate levels fall substantially below the current concentration level.

Water in Waterloo is mixed between 14 different wells, the rest of which are well below the legal concentrations for nitrate. There was a possibility that the general public consumed water with nitrate above 10 mg/l between November 1st and November 6th, 2015.

For more information, please contact Dennis Clark or Tim Robbins at the Waterloo Water Works ats 319-232-6280 or PO Box 27, Waterloo, Iowa 50704.