Nitrate levels in drinking water in rural New York State

To obtain an indication of the nitrate-nitrogen levels in drinking water in rural areas of upstate New York and the number of infants at risk for meth emoglobinemia, 419 wells supplying drinking water to farms were tested. Far mers were identified through two programs run by the New York State Departm ent of Health. The farmers were asked to complete a short questionnaire abo ut the type and size of their farm and their well and to collect the water sample. Overall, nitrates were detectable in 95% of the wells tested (conce ntration levels greater than 0.05 mg/L) and 15.7% had levels which exceedde d 10 mg/L. Fifteen percent of the wells tested from farms where infants res ided were also elevated. Wells which were shallow, dug or located on large farms, or springs were more likely to have elevated concentrations of nitra tes. (C) 1999 Academic Press.