DRINKING WATER NOTICE

WARNING
Forest Park’s water has high levels of nitrate –

DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS ONE YEAR OLD OR
USE TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA

Water samples collected on March 11, April 8 and May 13, 2009 showed nitrate levels of 11.7mg/L, 11.5 mg/L and 11.1 mg/L respectively. This is above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of 10 mg/L adopted by the State of Delaware. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.

What should I 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, since nitrates remain 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. 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. We are working with the Division of Public Health to resolve the nitrate violation. Possible solutions include drilling a new well, installing a nitrate removal system or connecting to a public water supply in compliance with the nitrate standard.

For more information, please contact Helen Cropper of Forest Park at (302) 934-8556 or Sharon Scheers, Environmental Health Specialist at (302) 741-8627.

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 Forest Park.

Public Water System ID#: DE0000590

Date Distributed: 05/28/09