Wellborn SUD found nitrate at 10.4 mg/L, above the EPA’s 10 mg/L limit. Infants under 6 months must use bottled water. Boiling makes it worse.
A water utility in Brazos County, Texas, has issued a public health warning after testing revealed nitrate levels exceeding federal safety limits. The Wellborn Special Utility District notified customers on November 9 that a sample near its Harlan Road Surface Water Treatment Plant measured 10.4 mg/L of nitrate, above the EPA's maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L, according to local news outlet WTAW.
The district has taken the affected water source offline and is conducting confirmation testing. In the meantime, parents of infants under six months and pregnant women are being told to use bottled water or alternative sources for drinking and cooking.
What the Tests Found
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires public water systems to notify customers within 24 hours of detecting a contaminant level above legal limits. Wellborn SUD's notice identified the exceedance as a single-sample violation for the fourth quarter of 2026.
According to the district's official statement, the elevated reading appears to stem from "an unexpected change in water quality coming from one of our sources." Other water sources supplying the district have not shown elevated nitrate levels, and the utility emphasized that most customers face no immediate health risk.
The district is offering bottled water to at-risk customers who call the utility office at 979-690-9799.
Infants Face the Highest Risk
Nitrate contamination poses a specific danger to infants. When babies under six months consume water with nitrate levels above 10 mg/L, the compound can interfere with their blood's ability to carry oxygen. The result is methemoglobinemia, commonly known as "blue baby syndrome," which can be fatal if untreated.
Symptoms include shortness of breath and a bluish discoloration of the skin. Formula-fed infants are at particular risk because their formula is mixed with tap water; nitrate-contaminated water used for formula is a well-known risk factor for the condition. The EPA advises against mixing water with more than 10 milligrams per liter of nitrate into infant formula.
For pregnant women, the health effects are less clearly established. The district's notice states that "at this time, the health effects to fetuses of pregnant women are unclear," but recommends pregnant customers consider alternative water sources as a precaution.
Boiling Won't Help
Unlike bacterial contamination, nitrate cannot be removed by boiling water. In fact, boiling concentrates nitrate as water evaporates, making the problem worse. The district's mandatory notice language explicitly warns customers that "boiling the affected water is not an effective treatment for nitrate removal."
This distinction matters because boil-water advisories are familiar to most Texans. Nitrate contamination requires a different response: switching to bottled water, using a reverse osmosis system, or relying on water sources that have been tested and confirmed safe.
No Timeline for Resolution
General Manager Campbell Young confirmed that confirmation sampling is underway, but the utility has not announced when results will be available or when the advisory might be lifted. The contaminated source will remain offline "until we find a treatment solution," according to the district's statement.
The district serves customers in South Brazos County, south of Greens Prairie Road. Residents in other parts of the district are not affected by this advisory.
Why Brazos County Is Vulnerable to Nitrate Spikes
Nitrate contamination in drinking water is frequently linked to agricultural runoff from fertilizers and animal waste. Brazos County sits in a region with significant farming activity, and surface water sources are particularly susceptible to runoff during periods of heavy rain or changing land use patterns.
A 2024 analysis found that 60 million Americans are exposed to nitrate-contaminated drinking water, with the highest concentrations in agricultural regions. The EPA has not updated its nitrate standard since 1992, despite emerging research suggesting health effects may occur at levels below the current limit. [CITATION NEEDED: health claim requires primary source]
Are you affected? What to do
If you're in South Brazos County (south of Greens Prairie Road):
- Do not give tap water to infants under 6 months for any purpose, including mixing formula. Use bottled water or water confirmed nitrate-free.
- Pregnant women should consider switching to bottled water for drinking and cooking until confirmation testing clears the supply.
- Call Wellborn SUD at 979-690-9799 to request free bottled water if you have an infant or are pregnant.
Check your own water:
- City water: Look up your utility's annual water quality report with the EPA's report search. EWG's Tap Water Database also shows results by ZIP code; its health guidelines are stricter than the legal limits.
- Private well: No one tests it for you. See the EPA's private well guidance.
- Choosing a filter: Boiling doesn't remove nitrate; it concentrates it. Reverse osmosis systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 for nitrate can reduce it. See our reverse osmosis guide.
For everyone:
- Do not attempt to remove nitrate by boiling. Boiling concentrates nitrate and makes contamination worse.
- If you rely on well water in an agricultural area, consider testing your water for nitrate, especially if you have infants in the household.
What Removes Nitrate From Drinking Water
Nitrate is a small, dissolved ion that passes through standard carbon filters and is not affected by boiling or UV treatment. The two home treatment methods with documented effectiveness are reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems designed specifically for nitrate removal.
Reverse osmosis systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 can reduce nitrate levels by 80% or more by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane that blocks dissolved contaminants. For households on well water in agricultural regions, or municipal customers facing repeat nitrate advisories, a point-of-use RO system provides ongoing protection independent of the utility's treatment capacity.
WWR's guide to the best reverse osmosis systems for home use compares under-sink and countertop units by certified contaminant reduction rates, tank capacity, and filter replacement costs. For renters or those seeking a portable solution, countertop RO systems offer similar nitrate reduction without permanent installation.
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