For immediate release: December 24, 2007 (07-225)

Contacts:
Leslie Gates, Office of Drinking Water 360-236-3098
Jeff Smith, Communications Office 360-236-4072

OLYMPIA ¾ Nitrate levels that exceed safe drinking water standards have been detected in a well serving Outlook Elementary School near Sunnyside.

The school is closed for the winter holidays, and the school district is working to have a safe alternative source of drinking water ready when the 600 students and staff return on Jan. 7.

Nitrate is a chemical found in most fertilizers, manure and liquid waste from septic tanks that can leach into soil and contaminate drinking water supplies. Elevated nitrate levels pose a risk to infants and pregnant women as well as people with a rare blood enzyme disorder. Ingesting elevated levels of nitrate reduces the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. While older children and adults rapidly recover, infants can be severely harmed.

While it is highly unlikely that students or staff were hurt by the water, the school district and state Department of Health want to ensure that families and staff have the information they need to make good health choices. The school district has mailed notices about the water situation to families and staff.

The elevated nitrate levels were detected in the quarterly routine tests of the well water. Nitrate levels were found slightly above the safe drinking water standard of 10 parts per million. No bacteria or other type of contamination have been detected.

"We’re pleased with how quickly the Sunnyside School District has responded to this nitrate situation," said Leslie Gates, an Office of Drinking Water manager. "We’re working with them to find a long-term solution that will ensure safe, reliable drinking water for Outlook Elementary School’s students and staff."

The agency’s Office of Drinking Water is providing technical support to the school district. The agency also encourages homeowners in the area with private wells to have their water tested for nitrate contamination.

Information about nitrate in drinking water is available on the Department of Health Web site (http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/Publications/331-214_2-21-07.pdf). A Spanish-language fact sheet is also available online (http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/Publications/331-214_spanish_3-7-07.pdf).

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