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Rising nitrate readings in wellhead monitoring wells

Two of six monitoring wells show slowly rising nitrates — still well below limits, but trending in the wrong direction.

Updated Mon, June 15· Decided by: Utility board (monitoring program); no decision pending
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What is happening

The city utility's spring sampling shows nitrate levels in monitoring wells MW-3 and MW-4 at 4.1 and 3.8 mg/L — below the 10 mg/L federal limit, but continuing a five-year upward trend. The utility has added quarterly sampling for those wells and is studying likely sources (septic systems and fertilizer in the recharge area are the usual suspects). Drinking water remains fully compliant.

Why it might matter

The aquifer supplies about 60% of Alder Creek's drinking water. Nitrate trends move slowly, which means both that there is no emergency and that the cheap interventions are now, not at 9 mg/L. This is exactly the kind of slow signal a community usually notices too late.

What is known

  • MW-3: 4.1 mg/L, MW-4: 3.8 mg/L (April 2026 sampling); five-year trend +0.3 mg/L/yr on both (utility water quality report, table 3).
  • All distribution-system samples remain compliant; the federal MCL is 10 mg/L.
  • The utility board approved quarterly sampling for MW-3/MW-4 on June 8.

Still uncertain

  • The source mix — the isotope study that could distinguish septic from fertilizer sources is "under consideration", not funded.
  • Whether the trend is linear or accelerating; five points is a short series.

Open questions are listed on purpose. Treat certainty claims you see elsewhere against this list.

Who or what may be affected

Everyone on city water

No current health issue; long-run treatment costs if the trend continues would land on rates.

Recharge-area property owners

Possible future septic inspection or fertilizer guidance programs, none proposed yet.

Thoughtful actions available

Skim the water quality report

Get oriented · 15 minutes

Table 3 is the trend data. The rest of the report is a good picture of the whole system.

Ask the utility board to fund the isotope study

Write to decision makers · 15 minutes

Knowing the source changes everything about the response. A handful of resident emails has historically been enough to move small study items onto the board agenda.

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Sources

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