Drummond water has toxic levels of nitrates

DRUMMOND - The DEQ is offering free nitrate testing.

Only 15 people live in Drummond, and their surrounded by farmlands.

That's why their wells are so high in nitrates.

"We're collecting samples to look for nitrates. We're looking for other information as to where the nitrates for this well are coming from," said Flint Hall, a DEQ Hydrogeologist.

Today's tests revealed the water in this Drummond well were close to 30 milligrams per liter.

"Elevated levels of nitrate interfer with the body's ability to use oxygen," said Hall.

Nitrate levels are so high in Drummond that no one drinks out of the wells. Instead everybody buys water bottles for their drinking water.

"Can't drink out of the water because the nitrates have always been above 10," said Drummond Mayor Shirley Ellis.

10 milligrams per liter is the maximum amount of nitrogen that is considered safe to drink. Mayor Ellis Shirley has lived in Drummond for 6 years now, and he's not once dared drink straight from his well.

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