From: Richard Hurwitz <RHurwitz@erland.com>

To: "'ellenr@nitrate.com'" <ellenr@nitrate.com>

Subject: Test Kits... interesting results

Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2000

I received the 5 pack of test kits on Saturday. First, I have to express to you how impressed I am with the thought that has to have gone into the design of this kit. It is extremely fail safe, given the standard you include, and the ease of use. Thank you for making it easy to test during a situation where me and all of my neighbors are a bit rattled.

I tested my water first. It is definitely at 10 or above. I have been using a fertilizing service on my 1/4 acre for about 3-4 years. Next, I tested my neighbor on same side of the street, one house downhill from me. He uses Chemlawn to fertilize his 1/2 acre. He is at least 8-9, if not 10.

Next, the neighbor one house further down the street, same side (2 houses downhill from me). Their water is almost clear, and they do not fertilize their 3/4 acre. Directly across the street from me, on 1/2 acre, that neighbor is about 5-6. They also do not fertilize. Lastly, directly uphill from my house, same side, this neighbor is around 3-4. She started fertilizing in Spring '99.

This whole issue is bizarre, and extremely confusing. I will not yet draw any conclusions from the testing - but I will not, nor will my neighbors, continue to fertilize.

Ellen: If it was a septic system failure problem, wouldn't there be coliform present in my water? Everything besides nitrate tests out fine.

Signed,

Confused!