Analysis of Nitrate Concentration of Shallow Tube Wells of Selected Corn Producing Barangays in Bautista

Too much concentration of nitrates in drinking water is hazardous to health, several studies claimed that it causes methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome to pregnant women. This study analyzed the nitrate concentration of shallow-tube wells of corn-producing barangays in Bautista. Water samples were subjected into two nitrate-testing schedules for November 2013 and January 2014. The results were compared to the water quality standards sets by the Environmental Protection Agency. Water samples from Vacante are high and above the nitrate standards while Artacho shows irregular nitrate concentrations. Water samples collected in Nibaliw and Sinabaan are significantly normal in their nitrate concentrations. All of the nitrate concentrations obtained from the shallow tube wells are similar in the sampling periods of November and January. It is suggested that the residents in the sampling area to avoid drinking the water from their shallow-tube wells. This to prevent possible nitrate related contaminations. It is recommended that future researchers should delimit the month of nitrate testing to a longer time interval, this is to determine any significant differences and to establish which particular month/s shows high or low nitrate level concentration.

Keywords:nitrate concentration, shallow-tube wells, corn producing barangays