Residential water quality continues to make headlines and is top of mind for many homeowners. While we're three years removed from the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, overall consumer awareness of household water contaminants remains high, and people have questions they want answered. For homeowners with private wells, a notable water quality issue is the presence of nitrates, especially in the Midwest. Water well contractors and pump professionals are poised to be the trusted local experts for taking precautions to prevent nitrate contamination, testing well water quality, and providing people with helpful information. In most cases, nitrates in drinking water do not seem to present major health risks. As you're likely aware, the biggest concern involves infants. Babies consume large amounts of water relative to their body weight and may develop methemoglobinemia, which can be fatal. It's also known as "blue baby syndrome" because it restricts the ability for blood to transport oxygen, causing skin discoloration. As we age, most adults and older children develop digestive systems that can process nitrates, which are found naturally in the vegetables we eat at higher levels than drinking water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, babies are no longer at a higher risk of the effects of nitrates by the age of 6 months. Still, there is also preliminary research indicating a possible link to long-term nitrate exposure and an increased risk of some types of cancer. That's one more reason why you may encounter homeowners with concerns about nitrates. Here are common consumer questions about nitrates and advice on discussions you can have with your residential customers.
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