More Nitrates In Southeastern Idaho’s Drinking Water

When you take a swig of water, do you really know what’s in there?

The United States Geological Survey said water running through the aquifer below our feet in the Snake River Plain has experienced a big increase in nitrate levels.

These new numbers show 13 areas around the United States where nitrate levels in water are increasing, one of them is the Upper Snake River Plain aquifer, which feeds many wells.

Nitrates are positively-charged ions found predominately in fertilizers.

Sometimes they can seep into groundwater during periods of increased run-off.

“Anytime you over-irrigate the root zone, you have a chance of pushing nitrates below the area where the plant can pick them up,” said farmer Bryon Reed of Idaho Falls.

Reed knows his nitrates.

“I think the ag community has become very aware of the ground water issue. … everyone is very careful to only apply what is necessary,” he said.

He’s talking about fertilizer. It’s high in nitrogen, and those positively-charged ions can easily move through positively charged soil, eventually reaching groundwater.

“Everyone involved in agriculture is doing everything possible to help minimize the problem,” said Reed.

Still, the USGS says nitrate levels in the Snake River Aquifer have increased between .5 to 2 milligrams per liter from 1993 to 2005.

To know the amounts of nitrates in your drinking water you’re actually going to have to test for it.

At Eastern Idaho Public Health, environmental health director Kelleye Eager says well-water users *must* be vigilant.

?Always testing is going to be your best defense to know really what you’re drinking,? Eager said.

Actual concentrations of nitrates will vary from well to well, so individual testing is imperative.

If nitrate levels get above the 10 milligrams per liter mark, water can become especially dangerous for infants and pregnant women by decreasing oxygen flow in the blood.