The City of Burlington's drinking water has, at times, exceeded safe levels for nitrate. Nitrate in drinking water or ice is not a concern for most people. It is also safe for bathing and personal hygiene. Please review the list below to determine if your patients are at risk.
Sensitive populations include:
- Infants 6 months old and younger (Unsafe to mix formula with city water)
- Women trying to get pregnant, or who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding
- Individuals with reduced stomach acidity
- People with oxygen transport or delivery conditions
- People on a variety of medications: anesthetic teething gels, phenazopyridine (Pyridium), dapsone, isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil, Dilatrate-SR, BiDil), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, Ismo, Monoket), nitroglycerin (Nitrolingual, NitroMist, Nitrostat), or topical anesthetics such as lidocaine (Lidoderm patch, AnaMantle HC, LidaMantle HC, Synera) or tetracaine.
- People with enzyme deficiency: Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase and RBC methemoglobin reductase and other genetic factors
- Recreational drug users
- DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.
- If you are in an at risk category, please use bottled water for drinking and cooking.
- If you have other health issues concerning the consumption of this water, you may wish to consult your doctor or the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center at 1-800-222-1222.
