Test results on water samples taken from the southern part of Saipan's public water system showed high levels of nitrate, prompting the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to issue a warning advising residents not to give the water to infants under six months old or use it to make infant formula.
The Saipan Tribune reports that tests last month on samples from dozens of wells and reservoirs showed nitrate levels as high as 14.7 parts per million well above the accepted level of 10 ppm.
Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.
Adults are usually not affected as their bodies can process this inorganic compound.
At least 5,000 customers in the southern part of Saipan are affected by the findings.
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