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 methemoglobinemia, 419 wells supplying drinking water to farms were tested. Farmers were identified through two programs run by the New York State Department of Health. The farmers were asked to complete a short questionnaire about 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 (concentration levels greater than 0.05 mg/L) and 15.7% had levels which exceedded 10 mg/L. Fifteen percent of the wells tested from farms where infants resided were also elevated. Wells which were shallow, dug or located on large farms, or springs were more likely to have elevated concentrations of nitrates.