Genesee reports high nitrate levels

The city of Genesee is advising residents not to give water to infants less than 6 months old, as nitrate levels in the city’s water system have exceeded the state’s maximum contaminant level.

According to information provided by the city, a test on Friday showed nitrate levels had risen to 11.2 milligrams per liter, well above Idaho’s maximum nitrate level of 10.4 milligrams per liter.

According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, high nitrate levels are particularly dangerous to pregnant women, infants less than six months old and the elderly with immune deficiencies.

“In infants less than six months old, nitrate levels above 10 milligrams per liter of water in drinking water can reduce the amount of oxygen in the child’s blood and cause blue baby syndrome,” according to the Department of Health and Welfare.

Dustin Brinkly, Genesee’s maintenance supervisor, said the city has two operational wells – well No. 3 and well No. 5.

Brinkly said while nitrate levels in well No. 5 have historically tested very low, nitrate levels in well No. 3 “have been hovering at the maximum level for the last couple of years.”

Brinkly said well No. 3 is located at the bottom of a hill near a creek, while well No. 5 is located at the top of a hill away from spring runoff. He said well No. 3’s nitrate levels rise every year at about this time, but in the past 20 years they have not exceeded the maximum level allowed by the state.

Ed Hagan, ground water program manager for the Department of Environmental Quality, said typically high nitrate levels are caused by a mix of human, animal or fertilizer waste. Hagan said a nitrogen isotope test can determine the exact source of the nitrate.

Brinkly said because the surrounding farmland near Genesee, it is well known that agricultural operations are a major contributing factor to the well’s constantly high nitrate levels.

Hagan said typically deeper wells are also not as affected by nitrate levels – well No. 5 is 250 feet deep and well No. 3 measures 160 feet deep.

While there are several reverse nitrate treatments for the city of Genesee to choose from, Brinkly said the treatments are costly and do not have a high success rate.

Alternatively, the city will be looking to move forward with their plans for an entirely new well and will be looking for the best locations in the coming months, Brinkly said.

In the mean time the city plans to reduce the amount of water used from well No. 3 and rely almost solely on well No. 5, he said.

Brinkly said this plan will work until approximately July when irrigation season starts, but hopefully by then the nitrate levels in well No. 3 will have reduced again.

“We have a little breathing room but it is something we need to address right now,” he said.

Genesee Mayor Steve Odenborg said bottled water will be supplied at city hall for those adults with immune deficiencies, infants less than 6 months old, or anyone with concerns.

“This is a major concern to us, it is a public safety concern,” Odenborg said.

A flier being sent out to all Genesee residents also states that boiling the water or filtering it does not improve the nitrate levels.