Yoder continues to have high nitrate levels

Jul 17, 2023

Nitrate levels have risen above allowable limits in Rural Water District 101, which serves the Yoder area. The last nitrate level test was collected on March 6, 2023. The level tested at 10.5 mg/L, which exceeds theKansas and Federal (EPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg/L for public water supply systems.Nitrate levels in water resources have increased in many areas due to applications of inorganic fertilizer andanimal manure in agricultural areas.On Aug. 2, 2020, Reno County received a precautionary public notice for acute nitrate violation fromKDHE. A warning was then sent to Yoder residents to limit water usage, especially for infants under sixmonths. A second notice was sent on Sept. 3, 2020, due to additional testing. A third precautionarypublic notice sent on Oct. 27, 2020, requiring bottled water to be provided, upon request, to anyhousehold with members at increased risk from the nitrates, such as infants, nursing mothers, pregnantwomen and other at-risk customers.On May 7, 2021, Reno County received a precautionary public drinking water advisory of potential nitratewater quality from KDHE. A warning was then sent out on May 17, 2021 to Yoder residents to limit waterusage, especially for infants under six months. A second notice was sent to residents on Sept. 23, 2021,due to additional testing and a third notice was sent out Oct. 4, 2021, due to additional testing as well.On June 13, 2022, Reno County received a nitrate result of 11.3 mg/L, which exceeds the Kansas Federal(EPA) maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L for public water supply systems. A warning wasthen sent out on June 15, 2022, to Yoder residents to limit water usage, especially for infants under sixmonths. A second notice was sent to residents on September 6, 2022, due to additional testing.

Reno County Public Works is currently in discussions with the City of Hutchinson, the City of SouthHutchinson, and the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce regarding a possible water trunk lineto be located approximately two miles south of South Hutchinson on K-96 for an Industrial Park. RenoCounty's involvement in creating a line to the Industrial Park will determine if the Yoder water source willcome from the Industrial Park or a direct line from the City of Hutchinson down Yoder Road. The engineeringfirm Schwab Eaton has been hired to design the water line that will service the Yoder Water District 101.