What’s Polluting Hempfield’s Water After Hint of Nitrate Madness

Sat, 02 May 2026 02:46:08 +0000

What’s Polluting Hempfield’s Water After Detection of Nitrate Madness: Causes, Risks, and Solutions Hempfield Township, PA – A recent surge in elevated nitrate levels has raised serious concern among residents and environmental experts about water quality in the area. Known locally as “nitrate madness,” this pollution spike threatens drinking water, local ecosystems, and public health—so what’s really polluting Hempfield’s water, and what can be done? ### The Nitrate Surge: A Health Alert Nitrates are naturally occurring compounds found in fertilizers, animal waste, and decomposing plant materials. However, recent water testing in Hempfield has revealed concerning nitrate concentrations—levels that exceed safe drinking water standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). High nitrate levels in drinking water are linked to serious health risks, including methemoglobinemia (also known as "blue baby syndrome"), which can impair oxygen delivery in infants and pregnant women.