Water warning at state park
So, here is why I will always carry my own water, even when going to full hookup sites. We are at Potholes State Park in WA State. Now, I know the warning is only for 'drinking', so even if ...
Forum Discussion
JaxDad wrote:
Ummmmm, do you know what nitrates are?
Do you read food labels? Processed meats in particular are very high in nitrates which are legal as preservatives which suppress harmful bacteria primarily in bacon, ham, salami and some cheeses. You eat cold meats? How about grilled meat? Because for example, nitrites in processed meats (hot dogs, sausages, burger patties) are in close proximity to proteins (specifically amino acids) so when cooked at high temperatures this allows them to more easily form nitrosamines, which are proven cancer-causing compounds.
Don’t eat much meat, ok, but they’re pretty common in veggies too. Things like spinach, lettuce, beets, celery and carrots are high in nitrates too.
nitrates are naturally occuring in some foods and added to others such as processed meats as a preservative. there is no health warning about limiting foods with naturally occuring nitrates. eating too many foods with added nitrates are suspected as a cause of colon cancer. the amount of nitrates found in processed food is regulated to what is believed to be safe levels.
nitrates in water can be a different matter. low level of nitrates can be found in surface water but harmful levels of nitrates can also be found. from the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/disease/nitrate.html
Nitrate can occur naturally in surface and groundwater at a level that does not generally cause health problems. High levels of nitrate in well water often result from improper well construction, well location, overuse of chemical fertilizers, or improper disposal of human and animal waste. Sources of nitrate that can enter your well include fertilizers, septic systems, animal feedlots, industrial waste, and food processing waste. Wells may be more vulnerable to such contamination after flooding, particularly if the wells are shallow, have been dug or bored, or have been submerged by floodwater for long periods of time.
the water in the park must be at an unsafe level hence the posted warning. i'd pay attention.
