More than 900 homes and businesses in the Devola area were issued warnings over the weekend of a problem with their water system that could be potentially harmful to infants.

Putnam Community Water Association manager Jay Huck said a Nov. 18 water sample recorded nitrates at 13.8 parts per million (ppm), slightly above the U.S. EPA threshold of 10 ppm.

"The EPA required a retest to confirm the high reading, which we did on Nov. 24," Huck said. "That test came back at 7.3 ppm, which is in the acceptable range; however, we have to average those two numbers which left us at 10.55 ppm, over the limit by 0.55 ppm, and prompted the water warning to be issued."

Nitrates are found in fertilizers, pesticides and often seep from septic tanks.

When consumed, nitrates can be converted by the body to nitrites. Nitrites are capable of entering the bloodstream and can lower the ability of the circulatory system to carry and deliver oxygen. Infants under 6-months are especially vulnerable to the condition because they may not have enough acids in their stomach to prevent the conversion from nitrate to nitrite. The condition can lead to "blue baby syndrome" and death.

Huck said there are no known illnesses associated with the recent event. He said there was a similar warning issued in the water system approximately two years ago.

"This has always been a farming community and there is still a lot of farming going on up the river from our well fields," he said. "We did get a grant and we are monitoring and looking for sources (of the nitrates), but there's really not a lot we can do."

Huck said the water system, which has served the Devola area since the 1950s, will continue to conduct regular testing and issue alerts when necessary.

"Other than when we had a problem a few years ago, this is the only other time I can remember when this has happened here," Huck said. "And it was about the same time of year when it happened before."

Huck said the association began testing for nitrates in 1994.

The water association's well fields are located along River Road near the Devola Soccer Complex, just below Devols Dam.

Maureen Olander, 54, of Devola, said her concerns are primarily for the younger couples with children who live in the area.

"Since I don't have anyone in my household who is at risk, I'm not terribly concerned or doing anything differently," she said. "But, it's not desirable, of course."

Huck said the water warning will remain in effect until at least the end of this week, when the next sample is expected to be taken.