SHELDAHL – The city of Sheldahl in Polk County issued a bottled water advisory today after DNR found high nitrite concentrations in lab data they review.
The nitrite concentration from a Nov. 4, 2015, sample was 2.0676 milligrams of nitrite per liter of water sampled, slightly more than twice the maximum contaminant level allowed.
Tap water is safe for adults and children older than six months. However, do not give tap water to infants under six months, or use it when mixing formula or other foods. Use bottled water or another source of drinking water for infants.
Do not boil the water, as boiling increases the concentration of nitrite in the water.
The laboratory did not notify DNR or the city of the high nitrite concentration within 24 hours as required.
The city is flushing the distribution system this weekend. DNR field office staff will be on site Monday to assist the operator and do additional water testing.
The bottled water advisory will be lifted after water samples test below the 1.0 milligram per liter maximum contaminant level.
The DNR will consider appropriate enforcement action against the laboratory, Ag Source of Ellsworth, for failure to notify within 24 hours.