Water in south suburbs is once again safe for infants after farm fertilizer contamination

A water utility company serving residents south of Chicago has lifted a drinking water advisory for infants after testing last week showed the water had elevated nitrate levels, possibly from runoff of farm fertilizer.

Aqua Illinois issued the all-clear Friday after consulting with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the utility said.

Around 111,000 people in Kankakee and Will counties were affected, including customers served by the Kankakee Water Treatment Plant, including the communities of Kankakee, University Park and Peotone, officials said.

The alert was issued June 7 after recent rains combined with spring agricultural fertilization had increased nitrate levels in the Kankakee River. Nitrates can be harmful to infants less than 6 months old and cause death if not treated, Aqua Illinois said.

Nitrogen fertilizers are widely used in farming to help the growth of crops. Water sampling results completed June 7 revealed nitrate levels of 11.9 milligrams per liter, which exceed safe guidelines, the company said.

“River nitrate levels, and those at the monitoring location required by the Illinois EPA are below the required level. Internal monitoring data has corroborated that all other monitoring locations are also under the nitrate limit,” the company said Friday.

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