When you have an infant, the quality of your groundwater affects their health. Get your water tested annually for nitrate, a compound that can lead to a potentially serious condition called blue baby syndrome. When this contaminant is present, you need water well rehabilitation to restore the quality of your supply. Here’s all you need to know to protect your family.

How Does Nitrate Cause Blue Baby Syndrome?

Nitrate is a common component of fertilizers. It's also found naturally in manure and waste. It can contaminate runoff that reaches groundwater supplies.

Drinking too much nitrate can block red blood cells from carrying oxygen, a problem most common in early life. Oxygen deprivation due to nitrate can leave the skin brownish-blue, a life-threatening symptom. In milder cases, the baby may simply be fussy or tired, or vomit and experience diarrhea.

Which Wells Are Affected?

Contaminants reach groundwater near the surface more easily than deeper sources. For this reason, shallow wells are most likely to need water well rehabilitation.

A well can also become contaminated by manure or farm waste. If you use fertilizer or have agricultural facilities near your property, schedule annual water testing to check for nitrate.

How Can You Protect Your Family?

Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation keeps a record of nitrate levels in water in different parts of the state, but you should have your well tested at least once a year for results specific to your aquifer.

If nitrate levels are above 10 milligrams per liter, you may need water well rehabilitation to make your supply safer for your family. Acidizing and chlorination, for example, remove contaminants from the system.

If you need well system testing, choose Anchorage Well & Pump Service, Inc. in Alaska. These professionals have almost 40 years of experience and offer 24/7 service. They provide a range of well rehabilitation services to make your supply safer. Call (907) 243-0740 to schedule testing, or learn more about their services online.