MANISTEE — The Manistee Conservation District, as part of its Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), will be offering free nitrate testing service from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on July 11.
Infants younger than 6 months old are particularly susceptible to nitrate poisoning.
Instead, they depend on bacteria present in their digestive system at birth to help them break down food.
Generally, by the time infants reach the age of 6 months, hydrochloric acid levels in their stomachs rise and kill most of the bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrite.
Doctors now recommend using bottled water to make formula when nitrogen levels exceed the U.S. Public Health Service drinking water standard of 10 parts per million.
Samples must be less than 48 hours old for a valid nitrate result: • Fill out the Well Water Information Form which can be found at www.manisteecd2.org and clicking the button on Well Water Testing on the Home page.
Rinse the sample bottle and lid thoroughly in the water to be sampled; then fill and cap the bottle; • Label a clean glass bottle or mason jar clearly with your name, the sampling date and the well name (cottage well, Mom’s well, etc.)
Those who participate can expect to be mailed a copy of the results in 8 to 10 weeks, with information about what to do if the concentration of nitrate or nitrite is too high.
Be sure to fill out the private well form completely before bringing it in, with the water sample, to the drop-off.
With questions or for more information, contact the Manistee Conservation District Office at (231) 889-9666 or email MAEAP Technician, Jamie VanDerZanden, at jamie.vanderzanden@macd.org.