DRINKING WATER WARNING

Shady Brook Farms North Camp water has high levels of nitrate:

DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OF AGE OR USE TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA

Drinking water samples collected on 07/22/2020 and 08/14/2020 showed a nitrate concentration in the drinking water of 15 mg/L and 11 mg/L respectively. The average of these results is above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level, of 10 mg/L that the State of Delaware, Division of Public Health has adopted. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.

What should I do? What does this mean?

• 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 is being done?

We are pursuing installation of treatment for nitrates. This notice will remain in effect as long as the drinking water exceeds the nitrate standard of 10 mg/L.

For more information, please contact Paul Cartanza, Jr. at 302-734-9966 or Kevin Cottman, Environmental Health Specialist III with 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: Shady Brook Farms North Camp

Public Water System ID#: none

Date distributed: 8/28/2020