From the City of Bayard
High levels of nitrates have been found in a recent drinking water sample that has prompted the Nebraska Department of of Environment & Energy to issue a Do Not Consume Order for the City of Bayard's municipal water supply.
According to the City Clerk, this notice was received from the State and was posted on the City's website Tuesday. Water from the city system is not to be used for consumption, including making ice, brushing teeth, food preparation and washing dishes.
Water, juice and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or water filtered to remove nitrate should be used for infants until the Do Not Consume Notice is lifted.
Boiling the water will not treat the condition and can make nitrates more concentrated, so residents are being told to use alternative supplies, such as bottled water or water through a filtering system designed to remove nitrates.
A sample collected Aug. 27 came back with a nitrate level of 61.6 milligrams per liter, well over the 20 mg/L threshold considered an unreasonable risk to health. Systems with nitrate level above the 20 mg/L threshold must provide an alternate source of safe drinking water to all consumers.
Followup testing is underway and results will be confirmed to make sure water is at a safe level, and for those with questions or concerns, you can contact Kevin Fowlkes at 308-586-1121.
Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources, including septic systems and run-off, and levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year.