MARCH 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
The
City of McCook has Levels of Uranium Above Drinking Water Standards
In accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services
Regulation and Licensure Regulations
Governing Public Water Supply Systems, the consumers of the City
of McCook public water system are hereby notified that the system is
in violation of the established drinking water standard of 30
micrograms per liter (or parts per billion) for uranium.
Uranium was measured at an average of 32
micrograms per liter at Point of Entry 011 in routine samples
collected on January 31, 2005, April 18, 2005, July 5, 2005, and October 3,
2005.
You have a right to know what happened, what you should do and what is being
done to correct the situation.
What Does This Mean?
Uranium is a naturally occurring substance. It is a component of volcanic ash
and some types of rocks carried to
THE CITY OF MCCOOK HAS HIGH LEVELS OF NITRATE.
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA
In accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Regulations Governing Public Water Supply Systems, the consumers of the City of McCook public water supply system are hereby notified that the system is in violation of the established drinking water standard of 10 milligrams per liter for Nitrate.
Nitrate has been measured at a concentration of 14 milligrams per liter (mg/l) on 1/24/2005, 8.2 mg/l on 4/24/2005, 10 mg/l on 8/08/2005 and 11 mg/l on 10/18/2005 at Point of Entry 011.
Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.
What should I do?
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DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and , if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately. |
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Water, juice, and formula for children under six month of age SHOULD NOT be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice. |
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DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates. |
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Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants because they cannot process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor. |
What happened?
Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including septic systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year.
What is being done?
Currently, work is underway to construct a 6.5 million gallon per day treatment plant that will remove uranium and nitrates from the drinking water. The City of McCook anticipates resolving the problem by March 2006.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
For additional information regarding this notice, please contact:
Jesse Dutcher at (308) 345-3382 or at City of McCook , PO Box 1059.
This notice is being provided to you by the City of McCook. State Water System ID No. NE3114504. Date distributed: February 2006.