Health Warning for Arago Drinking Water, Aug. 17

News release from the Coos Co. Health & Wellness. Water testing in the community of Arago (an unincorporated area in Coos County about 5 miles south of Coquille and 5 miles northwest of Myrtle Point) has shown nitrates to be 34 mg/l. This is more than three times the Maximum Contaminant Level set by the EPA for drinking water. Consuming excessive nitrates is dangerous to infants and pregnant women. Public Health officials believe Arago residents share a common aquifer and advise residents to purchase bottled water for drinking, cooking or mixing with baby formula if there is an infant in the home or a woman that may possibly be pregnant. A chemical reaction with nitrate may result in an infant and some women that are pregnant causing the skin to turn blue. The medical term is methemoglobinemia. If this happens please seek immediate medical care. It is particularly dangerous to infants less than 6 months of age and can be fatal. There are no known risks for other consumers. Some water treatment devices are specifically designed to remove nitrates when properly maintained, but water should NOT be boiled as this will make the nitrate concentration stronger. Public Health officials encourage residents consuming water from a private well to annually test it for coliform bacteria and for nitrate especially if there is an infant in the home or a woman of child bearing age.