Fremont issues advisory for nitrates in water

6/20/2003

FREMONT — City officials issued a water advisory yesterday because of elevated nitrate levels.

Joseph Flahiff, superintendent of Fremont's water treatment plant, said samples taken yesterday and Wednesday contained an average nitrate concentration of 12.8 milligrams per liter. The maximum level under state law is 10 milligrams per liter.

Infants under 6 months of

age are the most susceptible and should not be given the

water. Excessive levels of nitrate can lead to serious illness and even death among babies under 6 months of age. Instead of boiling the water, caretakers should use bottled water.

The elevated nitrate level does not affect healthy people.