The private utility that provides drinking water in University Park and other communities is advising customers not to use tap water for infants under 6 months old after recent testing showed elevated nitrate levels in drinking water systems.
Aqua Illinois said customers served by its Kankakee River water treatment plant were being warned about what it said were “unprecedented levels of nitrates” in the river water, which is treated for drinking water in Kankakee, Peotone and University Park.
The company said tap water should also not be used to mix infant formula for children under 6 months, and said bottled water should be used.
Aqua Illinois said boiling tap water does not reduce nitrate levels and may in fact make them worse.
Infants under 6 months who consume nitrate-contaminated water are at risk of experiencing shortness of breath and blue coloring on the skin, it said.
Aqua Illinois said consumption of the tap water by children over 6 months and adults is fine, but said pregnant women and adults with certain health concerns should consult a doctor.
Aqua Illinois said it will provide bottled water for University Park families and other customers with infants under 6 months old.
The company said apart from the three municipalities, water systems serving portions of Crete, Green Garden and Monee townships are also affected by the nitrates.
In a notice issued Saturday, Aqua Illinois said the contamination is likely due to recent heavy rains that caused fertilizer runoff into the Kankakee River.
The company said nitrates in drinking water can vary throughout the year and can come from natural, industrial or agricultural sources.
Aqua Illinois said it collects water samples daily and that when samples sudden increases it did further testing to determine nitrate levels, prompting the warning.
