By Hutchinson Tribune Staff
YODER—A water test on Dec. 10 showed nitrate levels in Rural Water District 101, which serves the Yoder area, of 12 milligrams per liter (mg/L), which is above the state and federal level for maximum contaminant level, Reno County announced Dec. 23 in a news release.
The state and federal maximum is set at 10 mg/L, Reno County Public Works Director Don Brittain wrote in the release. He wrote that nitrates in water come from a combination of natural, industrial, and agricultural sources.
He wrote that Reno County sends notices to those affected by the high nitrate levels, and residents at higher risk, including infants younger than 6 months old, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and others identified by a health care provider, can request bottled water.
Nitrate levels in the district’s water have been an ongoing issue since August 2020.
Rural Water District 101 tests the water once a quarter and will continue to send notices until the issue is resolved, Brittain wrote.