The Worden Ballantine Yellowstone County Water and Sewer District’s water warning is still in effect. Nitrate levels in the Worden/Ballantine area water supply continue to be at a dangerous level, especially for children under six months old. The WBYC website says that anyone in the affected areas in need of clean drinking water is able to pick up bottled water at the Water District Office at 2449 Main Street, Worden between 7:30am – 4:00pm or by appointment if you call the District Office at 406-670-4550. It is still technically safe for adults to drink the water since adults can filter a higher level of nitrates out of their bodies, but some nitrates will still inevitably bind to hemoglobin and restrict the flow of oxygen throughout the body.
Giving water high in nitrates to young children can cause their bodies to be unable to carry the necessary oxygen levels they need around their bodies. This can result in the aptly named Blue Baby Syndrome, symptomized by a blue tinted coloration to the skin around the nailbeds, mouth, and other thin-skinned areas from lack of oxygen. If you notice your child has blue skin or seems short of breath, seek treatment immediately. Area tap water should not be used for any formula, juice, or anything else for small children. The WBYC says filtering does not remove nitrates from water, so for the time being only bottled water should be used for all needs.
The WBYC Water District has stated that they are waiting on the results of testing and analysis by the Department of Environmental Quality to start formulating a correction plan on how to get nitrate levels back down to a level safer for human use. Until then they have increased the frequency of testing to monitor if the nitrate levels drop to safe levels and will continue updating the community. For more information on this ongoing issue, visit wbyc.myruralwater.com or contact Sandy Kust either at the District Office or by phone at 406-670-4550.
