YODER, Kan. — Nitrate levels continue above allowable limits in Rural Water District 101, which serves the Yoder area. The last Nitrate level test was collected on September 6, 2022. The level tested at 11.1 mg/L, which exceeds the Kansas and Federal (EPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg/L for public water supply systems. Nitrate levels in water resources have increased in many areas due to applications of inorganic fertilizer and animal manure in agricultural areas.
On August 12, 2020, Reno County received a precautionary public notice for acute nitrate violation from KDHE. A warning was then sent to Yoder residents to limit water usage, especially for infants under 6 months. A second notice was sent on September 3, 2020, due to additional testing. A third precautionary public notice sent on October 27, 2020, requiring bottled water to be provided, upon request, to any household with members at increased risk from the nitrates, such as infants, nursing mothers, pregnant women, and other at-risk customers as identified by a health care provider.
On May 7, 2021, Reno County received a precautionary public drinking water advisory of potential Nitrate water quality from KDHE. A warning was then sent out on May 17, 2021, to Yoder residents to limit water usage, especially for infants under 6 months. A second notice was sent to residents on September 23, 2021, due to additional testing and a third notice was sent out October 4, 2021, due to additional testing as well. A fourth notice was sent out on December 29, 2021, due to additional testing that was completed.
Reno County Public Works is currently looking at alternate water sources. The City of Hutchinson has already agreed to help, if the county can figure out the logistics. The City of Haven has also had initial conversations on the issue, but which direction the county will go has not yet been decided.