DRINKING WATER NOTICE
WARNING
Joseph Wicks Nurseries water has high levels of nitrate –
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS ONE YEAR OLD OR
USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA
Water sample results received 08/16/05 showed nitrate levels of 10.4 and 10.5 ppm. This is above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of 10 mg/L adopted by the State of Delaware from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water Standards. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than one year old.
What should I do?
- DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. Infants below the age of one year 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 one year 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 one year 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, domestic, industrial or agricultural sources. 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. This notice will remain posted for as long as the water exceeds the nitrate standard of 10 ppm.
For more information, please contact Joseph Wicks, of Joseph Wicks Nurseries at (302) 653-1133 or the Office of Drinking Water at (302) 741-8630.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly. You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by Joseph Wicks Nurseries.
State Water System ID#: N/A
Date Distributed: 8/23/05
