Water advisory in Fairmont, unsafe for infants
FAIRMONT, Minn. - The City of Fairmont is on a drinking water advisory for infants after water samples showed high nitrate levels, according to a press release.
City officials are urging residents not to give water to infants under six months old or use it to make infant formula. Boiling the water will not help. Infants who drink too much water with high nitrate levels could become ill or even die. The water is safe for people older than six months old.
A water sample analyzed on Thursday showed nitrate levels of 12 mg/L, which is above the maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L.
Fairmont Public Utilities is blending the water with water below the maximum nitrate levels. It will be several days before the water with the high concentration will be flushed out of the system. City leaders will contact residents when the nitrate levels are safe for infants again.