Update 7:37 p.m. Thursday: Story has been updated with test results from township.
NEWINGTON – The Township of South Stormont is telling residents on Newington municipal system not to drink their tap water until further notice.
It comes after recent test results came back with higher than acceptable levels of nitrates, “which can pose health risks if ingested.”
The township notes boiling the water won’t remove the contaminants.
In an update around 4:40 p.m. Thursday, the township says the nitrate level was detected at 10.2 milligrams per liter today – above the maximum allowable concentration of 10.
Nitrates are known to be especially hazardous to pregnant women and infants less than six months old. It’s known to cause birth defects and are linked to a blood disorder in infants known as “baby blue syndrome” where a child’s skin turns blue from oxygen deficiency.
Bottled drinking water is being provided for those affected, which is being dropped off to each home today (March 5).
For health related questions, you should call the Eastern Ontario Health Unit at 1-800-267-7120 or 613-933-1375.
The high levels of nitrates have been a recurring problem for the municipality and levels have been climbing since the system was “flagged” in 2010.
A report to council in September 2025 suggested a new treatment system at a cost of $250,000 to $500,000.