Mayfield water official warns of severe drought, elevated nitrates; limited treatment to protect infants urged

Garrick, the town's culinary water reporter to the council, said Mayfield faces an acute drought and that springs have not recovered since last year, forcing reliance on wells with higher nitrate readings.

"It's the worst year on record," Garrick told the council, and he said well nitrate concentrations are running about 12–13 parts per million while state drinking-water guidance sets 10 ppm as the limit for infants and other at-risk groups. Garrick said the town will blend spring and well water and operate the nitrate treatment plant intermittently — initially about one day a week — to reduce nitrate concentrations and preserve supply.

Why it matters: Elevated nitrate levels can cause infant methemoglobinemia (often called "blue baby syndrome") and present higher risks for immune-compromised residents. The council and staff said they will issue informational notices and ask residents to conserve; Gerrick said the cemetery uses a large share of outdoor water and may be asked to reduce irrigation.

Costs and operational notes: Garrick said replacing RO filters cost about $2,500 (shared with Centerfield) and that the treatment plant consumes significant energy and maintenance resources. He said outage or equipment failure could force more stringent indoor-use-only advisories or restrictions.

Next steps: The council asked staff to promote conservation citywide, consider targeted reductions (for cemetery irrigation) and monitor nitrate and static well levels; no mandatory restrictions were enacted at the meeting but officials said restrictions remain possible if supplies worsen.