Our plentiful but vulnerable water supply

One of the great natural assets of the Delmarva Peninsula is its plentiful supply of fresh water. Annual weather systems bring us, on average, an uncannily constant 43 inches of rainfall that steadily recharge our aquifers.

Rainfall filters through the soil and, geologists say, eventually is sequestered in shallow aquifers - anywhere from 20 to 50 feet down - that sit atop thick deposits of clay keeping it from draining farther away. That's what makes it so accessible for our fresh water needs. But that accessibility can also have a downside.

In certain parts of Sussex, soils are particularly sandy, meaning water drains quickly to the shallow-well aquifers. That means nitrogen applied to enrich soils, in the form of commercial fertilizers or as chicken manure, can leach quickly through the soil where microorganisms convert it to nitrates. Even rainfall carries nitrogen from the atmosphere - which is made up predominantly of nitrogen gas - into the soil. Nitrogen and nitrates are everywhere, but when concentrations exceed certain levels in our drinking water, health issues can arise.

That has been a problem particularly in the southeastern portion of Sussex with its century-old poultry heritage, sandy soils and shallow wells. That's why health officials have periodically issued advisories, often targeted to expectant mothers, to avoid water in areas with historically high concentrations of nitrates because unborn babies and newborns are especially at risk.

Our water supply is plentiful but also vulnerable. State health and environmental agencies must do their part to protect and, where necessary, improve that supply, and work with the agriculture industry to help resolve chronic hot spots.

One solution is a public water system in the areas of greatest nitrate concentrations, funded by state and county agencies in partnership with the poultry industry. All three entities have a long-term economic and environmental stake in keeping our water healthy.

All consumers - especially everyone with private wells - must understand the vulnerability of our plentiful fresh water and make sure the water they drink meets safe drinking water standards.