Clarification to Water Quality Advisory for Health Facilities in Burlington Colorado

The drinking water in the city of Burlington tested higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's limit for nitrate, which is 10 milligrams per liter.

Health facilities are advised that Infants under the age of 6 months should not drink the water until further communication. Bottled water should be used for infants until you receive notice that nitrate levels in your drinking water have been reduced to below 10 milligrams per liter.

We are not recommending bottled water for drinking and cooking for the general population. However, Burlington health facility staff should consult patients'/residents'/clients' physicians if they have the following conditions: 

• pregnant 
• breastfeeding 
• taking specific prescription medication (See list of medications included in Frequently Asked Questions about Nitrates in Public Drinking Water), or 
• have specific health concerns:
• severe anemia
• severe cardiac disease
• severe pulmonary disease 
• severe Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, or 
• severe Red Blood Cell (RBC) methemoglobin reductase deficiency

We encourage you to review the Frequently Asked Questions about Nitrates in Public Drinking Water. Additional communications will be issued by the City of Burlington as the situation progresses. We are also monitoring the situation and will provide additional information as needed.

If you have questions about this message, please contact Melanie Roth @ 303-692-2819 or Melanie.Roth-Lawson@state.co.us.