KCRA 3 Investigates: What is nitrate and could your water be contaminated with it?

Martha Lorenz’s Struggle with Nitrate Contamination in Drinking Water

Martha Lorenz, a resident of Ceres, California, has been living in the house where she grew up, surrounded by orchards. Over the years, the town has grown significantly, and the once smaller community has transformed. Lorenz used to get her water from a well without any concerns. However, two years ago, she discovered that her drinking water was contaminated with nitrate, a dangerous and colorless compound.

The Dangers of Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate contamination poses serious health risks. In infants, it can lead to “Blue Baby Syndrome,” causing low oxygen levels in the blood and potentially resulting in fatality. Additionally, high levels of nitrate in water can lead to cancer if it exceeds 10 milligrams per liter.

Gary Shoffner, another resident living near orchards, also experienced nitrate contamination in his water despite installing a reverse-osmosis system. The contamination is primarily caused by various sources such as urban wastewater, septic tanks, farm manure, and fertilizer used on golf courses or crops.

The Impact of Climate Change and Extreme Weather

Climate change and extreme weather events exacerbate nitrate contamination. Thomas Harter, a nitrate expert from UC Davis, emphasizes the importance of balance in managing crops to prevent excess nitrogen from entering the water supply. By allowing crops to absorb more nitrogen before flooding or over-irrigating, the soil can be depleted of nutrients, reducing the risk of nitrate contamination.

Nitrate Contamination: Not Just a Rural Issue

Nitrate contamination is not limited to rural areas. Maps of Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties in California reveal widespread nitrate contamination, making the water unsafe for consumption even in populated regions. To address this issue, the Valley Water Collaborative, a partnership between the agricultural industry, local government, and water agencies, offers assistance to affected individuals.

The Valley Water Collaborative’s Efforts

The Valley Water Collaborative provides free well testing and results analysis to determine if water exceeds the drinking water standard. If contamination is detected, affected individuals receive free bottled water. The collaborative also runs a pilot program that delivers piped water to Martha Lorenz’s house, using a system similar to those used by the military in desert climates. This innovative solution extracts humidity from the air, condenses it, adds minerals, and delivers it as tap water.

While these initiatives provide temporary relief, Parry Klassen from the Valley Water Collaborative acknowledges the need for long-term solutions to ensure safe drinking water for all. Protecting the valuable well water resource and expanding access to safe drinking water are crucial goals.

Expanding Coverage and Ensuring Safe Drinking Water

The Valley Water Collaborative currently serves portions of Stanislaus County and plans to expand its coverage to other areas by the end of 2024. This expansion aims to address the issue of nitrate contamination in a wider region.

Check the interactive map below to see if your property is near a nitrate-impacted well.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• SDG 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 6.1: Percentage of population using safely managed drinking water services.
• Indicator for SDG 11.1: Percentage of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
• Indicator for SDG 15.3: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

The article highlights the issue of nitrate contamination in drinking water, which is connected to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The contamination affects both rural and urban areas, linking it to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Additionally, the article mentions the impact of climate change on contamination, which relates to SDG 15: Life on Land.

The specific targets identified from the article’s content are SDG 6.1 (universal access to safe drinking water), SDG 11.1 (access to adequate housing and basic services), and SDG 15.3 (combating desertification and land degradation).

The indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards these targets are the percentage of population using safely managed drinking water services (SDG 6.1), the percentage of urban population living in slums or inadequate housing (SDG 11.1), and the proportion of degraded land over total land area (SDG 15.3).

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: kcra.com

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