Nitrite in Kansas Drinking Water
Kansas has 1,814 public water systems. 1372 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
1,814
With Violations
1,372
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
2.9M
Nitrite in Kansas: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
1,814
Systems with Violations
1,372
Lead Violations
23
Copper Violations
184
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Kansas
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| KICKAPOO TRIBAL WATERWORKS | 520 | 1330 |
| SEVERY, CITY OF | 200 | 1224 |
| ELK CITY, CITY OF | 292 | 1064 |
| RAMPART LLC | 0 | 956 |
| LONGTON, CITY OF | 277 | 751 |
| PRETTY PRAIRIE, CITY OF | 655 | 704 |
| NORWICH, CITY OF | 433 | 694 |
| COUNTRY VIEW MOBILE HOME PARK | 125 | 684 |
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 Kansas water?
Kansas has 1,814 public water systems. 1372 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 Kansas 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