Other sensitive people include pregnant women and individuals with reduced gastric acidity. The Department of Health conducted a survey among health care providers in the Mid-Columbia Basin last year. It is unclear whether the cases revealed in the survey were caused by drinking water from contaminated wells or if the infants were exposed to very high levels of nitrate in their food or during medical treatments. People should get their wells tested as soon as possible. If nitrate levels are high, alternate sources of drinking water should be used until the situation is corrected.
Steps are already underway to reduce nitrate contamination.
Ecology has been working with food processors, municipal wastewater treatment plants and other industries that apply treated wastewater to land. Many treatment plants now discharge far fewer contaminants, thus reducing nitrate from seeping into the ground water. Area conservation districts are promoting the use of Best Management Practices for agriculture. These practices are expected to have a positive effect on ground water quality over time. I have been very impressed with the expertise and enthusiasm the local farmers, elected officials and other key community leaders have put into working to solve this issue.