EPA SDWIS DataMassachusetts

Nitrite in Massachusetts Drinking Water

Massachusetts has 3,929 public water systems. 2412 have recorded nitrite violations.

Total Systems

3,929

With Violations

2,412

EPA MCL

Population Served

10.4M

Nitrite in Massachusetts: Key Facts

Total Water Systems

3,929

Systems with Violations

2,412

Lead Violations

Copper Violations

249

EPA Standard

1 mg/L as N

MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L

Water Systems with Violations in Massachusetts

System	City	Population	Violations
NEW ENGLAND LABORERS TRAINING ACADEMY	HOPKINTON	200	965
METROWEST YMCA	FRAMINGHAM	700	744
COOL SANDY BEACH COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM	RUTLAND	70	642
BROOMFIELD LABORATORIES	LEOMINSTER	25	641
PARAGON COMMUNICATIONS	BOLTON	210	582
BOXBOROUGH EXECUTIVE OFFICE CENTER	BOXBOROUGH	60	549
PLEASANT VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB	MILLBURY	460	541
CENTRE VILLAGE APARTMENTS	HARVARD	36	531

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 Massachusetts water?

Massachusetts has 3,929 public water systems. 2412 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 Massachusetts 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

Categoryinorganic

EPA MCL1 mg/L as N

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