Nitrate is Wisconsin’s most widespread water contaminant and is rapidly growing worse. It can be found in municipal water supplies and private wells in our state, with higher contamination levels reported in agricultural areas. According to tap water tests, over 1.1 million Wisconsinities have elevated nitrate levels in their tap water, 83% of which live in communities of 3,300 people or fewer (1).
Many factors can increase nitrate levels in the water supply. Nitrates are the primary ingredient in both manufactured fertilizers. They are found in organic fertilizers, such as animal waste which is frequently spread on agricultural fields. During a rainstorm, nitrate can run-off of fields and into nearby waterways. Nitrates are also present in wastewater, sewage, and septic systems.
High levels of nitrate are connected to blue-baby syndrome, a condition in which babies are starved of oxygen. Nitrate pollution also increase risk of birth defects, thyroid disease, colorectal cancer, non-hodgkins lymphoma, bladder and ovarian cancer (2,3,4).
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Learn more
Check out your county public health department for more information on nitrate & health in your area.
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Nitrate in the News
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“Report Finds Wisconsin Is Among 10 States Where Nitrate Contamination Is Getting Worse”
WI Public Radio (June 24, 2020)
Wisconsin is amongst ten states with a growing nitrate pollution problem.
“Rising nitrate levels found in tap water of some Madison-area suburbs, report says”
La Crosse Tribute (June 24, 2020)
Nitrate levels increased by 46% in some systems around the state.
“DNR pushes ahead with plans for stricter farming practices to fight nitrate pollution”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Dec. 10, 2019)
The DNR will start a two year process to assess new regulatory framework for agricultural nitrate pollution.
“Nitrate Pollutes State’s Drinking Water”
Urban Milwaukee (Nov. 17, 2015)
Follow the story of a family with a contaminated well and how it connects to blue-baby syndrome.
“Pollutants Are Abundant In Waterways Surrounding Milwaukee County”
Milwaukee’s NPR (May 7, 2019)
Milwaukee Riverkeepers test Ulao Creek after a rainstorm to see agricultural runoff from a recent rainstorm affects the water quality.
“How does nitrate pollution affect our health & economy?”
Clean Wisconsin (Feb. 24, 2020)
The medical costs when you figure in lost of productivity are up to $63-160 million.
Sources:
1. EWG Investigation: Across Farm Country, Nitrate Pollution of Drinking Water for More than 20 Million Americans Is Getting Worse. Environmental Working Group, https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2020-nitrate-pollution-of-drinking-water-for-more-than-20-million-americans-is-getting-worse/wi/
2. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. 2020. Nitrate in Private Wells. Retrieved from: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/water/nitrate.htm
3. Ward, M.H., S.D. Mark, K.P. Cantor, D.D. Weisenburger, A. Correa-Villasenor, S.H. Zahm. 1996. Drinking water nitrate and the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Epidemiology 7(5):465-471.
4. Weyer, P.J., J.R. Cerhan, B.C. Kross , G.R. Hallberb, J. Kantamneni, G. Breuer, M.P. Jones, W. Zheng, C.F. Lynch. 2001. Municipal drinking water nitrate level and cancer risk in older women: The Iowa Women’s Health Study. Epidemiology, 11(3):327-338.