* A new study has found that nitrate levels in rural water wells in the High Plains Aquifer have increased significantly over the past few decades.

* The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, analyzed data from over 1,000 water wells in the eight states that comprise the High Plains Aquifer.

* The results showed that nitrate levels had increased by an average of 2.4 milligrams per liter (mg/L) per year since 1990.

* This increase is attributed to a combination of factors, including increased fertilizer use in agriculture, animal waste, and wastewater from septic systems.

* High levels of nitrate in drinking water can be harmful to human health, especially for infants and young children. Nitrate can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia, which can lead to oxygen deprivation and even death.

* The study's findings raise concerns about the safety of drinking water in rural areas that rely on groundwater from the High Plains Aquifer.

Additional Details from the Study

* The study found that nitrate levels were highest in areas with high agricultural activity.

* The highest nitrate levels were found in wells located in Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado.

* The study also found that nitrate levels were higher in wells that were located near septic systems.

* The findings of the study are consistent with previous research that has found that nitrate levels in groundwater are increasing in many parts of the United States.