Nitrite in Arizona Drinking Water
Arizona has 4,383 public water systems. 3189 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
4,383
With Violations
3,189
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
7.7M
Nitrite in Arizona: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
4,383
Systems with Violations
3,189
Lead Violations
31
Copper Violations
71
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Arizona
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| PUEBLO DEL SOL WATER COMPANY | 13K | 2721 |
| BULLHEAD CITY MOHAVE | 36K | 2669 |
| PEORIA CITY OF | 188K | 2461 |
| TUCSON CITY OF | 733K | 2267 |
| ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY | 42K | 2191 |
| BIG PARK WATER COMPANY | 7K | 2033 |
| NOGALES CITY OF | 22K | 1954 |
| FOOTHILLS WATER AND SEWER LLC | 32K | 1945 |
Health Effects of Nitrite Exposure
Blue baby syndrome
Can block oxygen in blood of infants under 6 months
Methemoglobinemia
Converts hemoglobin, reducing blood oxygen-carrying capacity
Infants below 6 months can develop methemoglobinemia ('blue baby syndrome'). Combined nitrate+nitrite limit is 10 mg/L.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there nitrite in Arizona water?
Arizona has 4,383 public water systems. 3189 have recorded nitrite violations based on EPA SDWIS data. If you are on a private well, your water is not covered by these regulations and should be tested independently.
How can I check my Arizona water for nitrite?
Search for your water system using the WaterCheck system lookup, or contact your utility and request a copy of your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The CCR is published annually and lists all detected contaminants, their levels, and the EPA MCLs. For private wells, contact a state-certified lab for independent testing.
What is the EPA limit for nitrite?
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for nitrite is 1 mg/L as N. Systems that exceed MCLs are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
Nitrite at a Glance
Source
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks and sewage; erosion of natural deposits
How to Filter Nitrite
- +Reverse osmosis removes nitrite
- +Ion exchange systems can remove nitrite
- +Do not give water with elevated nitrite to infants