Nitrite in Florida Drinking Water
Florida has 19,917 public water systems. 13534 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
19,917
With Violations
13,534
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
22.3M
Nitrite in Florida: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
19,917
Systems with Violations
13,534
Lead Violations
105
Copper Violations
447
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Florida
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| DLF PACKING FKA SUNBRITE CITRUS | 70 | 731 |
| ELDER SPRINGS MOBILE HOME PARK | 62 | 728 |
| BURNUP ; SIMS TELCOM OF FLA | 50 | 663 |
| KIDS PARADISE | 50 | 660 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN CENTER | 120 | 634 |
| HAPPY HOMES MOBILE HOME PARK | 215 | 612 |
| RIVIERA BEACH UTILITY DISTRICT, CITY OF | 47K | 565 |
| LANCE WATER | 63 | 548 |
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 Florida water?
Florida has 19,917 public water systems. 13534 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 Florida 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