See Also Health Risks of Heavy Metals Fluoride in Drinking Water E.Coli, Escherichia Coli Water Contamination Lead in your Water Pipes 水Contaminants Index Page

Drinking Water Contaminants - Nitrates / Nitrites

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What happens to Nitrates/Nitrites when they are released to the environment?

Since they are very soluble and do not bind to soils, nitrates have a high potential to migrate to groundwater. Because they do not evaporate, nitrates/nitrites are likely to remain in the water until consumed by plants or other organisms.

How will Nitrates/Nitrites be detected in and removed from my drinking water?

The regulation for nitrates/nitrites became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples at least once a year and analyze them to find out if nitrates/nitrites are present above 50 percent of their MCLs. If it is present above this level, the system must continue to monitor this contaminant every 3 months.

If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above their MCLs, your water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of nitrates/nitrites so that they are consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing nitrates/nitrites: Ion exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Electrodialysis.

How will I know if Nitrates/Nitrites are in my drinking water?

If the levels of nitrates/nitrites exceed their MCLs, the system must notify the public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health.

Drinking Water Standards (ppm): MCLG MCL

Nitrate and Nitrite Releases to Water and Land: 1991 to 1993 (in pounds)

As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact sheet is part of a larger U.S. EPA publication:
EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations

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Read Next:Health Risks of Heavy Metals

More related topics: Fluoride in Drinking Water E.Coli, Escherichia Coli Water Contamination Lead in your Water Pipes 水Contaminants Index Page