Nitrate levels are high in P.E.I.'s drinking water and will get worse if farming practices don't change, a joint federal and provincial study shows.

'The amount of money for providing water would be doubled.'— Researcher Martine Savard

The Wilmot River watershed, just east of Summerside, was found to be one of the most contaminated areas of the Island, with one in five wells tested during the study showing levels of nitrates above Health Canada guidelines. Martine Savard of the Geological Survey of Canada told CBC News there are eight more watersheds on P.E.I. where the situation is similar.

Savard said the study shows nitrates are coming from chemical fertilizers spread on fields. And if things don't change, the situation's going to get worse.

"The number of watersheds that are belonging right now to the highly impacted group would increase significantly, perhaps by 25 per cent," she said.

Read the complete article at:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2007/04/16/nitrates-...