Nitrate Problem Found In One Well

Nitrate levels exceeded safe drinking water standards at only one state ground-water sampling site in North Idaho.

Monitoring results released this week showed a shallow 38-inch well three miles north of Bonners Ferry with nitrate levels of 13 milligrams per liter. The standard for safe drinking water is 10.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources sent the homeowners nitrate information and advised them to contact the Panhandle Health District, officials said.

The well’s nitrate levels have dropped since the state’s first round of ground-water monitoring in 1993, said Ken Neely, a technical hydrogeologist. No other wells in a 10-mile radius showed high levels.

“Really, this is kind of an anomaly,” Neely said. For comparison, only eight wells and springs in North Idaho - all in the Grangeville area - showed nitrate levels above 5 milligrams per liter.

But officials said the isolated problem well - in the middle of sound wells - makes a good argument for yearly water testing.

Neely said tests for basic bacteria and nitrates cost about $10 or $15. Testing is advised if water taste or color changes. Spring runoff also can contaminate homemade spring boxes.

High nitrate levels can cause blue baby syndrome and pose a health risk to infants, pregnant women and the elderly.

NITRATES Are released into ground water by rotting organic materials, septic tanks or fertilizers.