Nitrite in Maryland Drinking Water
Maryland has 7,992 public water systems. 3891 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
7,992
With Violations
3,891
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
6.0M
Nitrite in Maryland: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
7,992
Systems with Violations
3,891
Lead Violations
56
Copper Violations
305
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Maryland
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| RECKLEY SPRING COMMUNITY WATER | 78 | 555 |
| EWELL WATERWORKS COOPERATIVE | 75 | 495 |
| GOLDEN KAY APARTMENTS | 148 | 490 |
| TYLERTON WATERWORK COOPERATIVE | 100 | 460 |
| HILL WATERWORKS COOPERATIVE | 100 | 459 |
| MIDTOWN WATERWORKS COOPERATIVE | 34 | 455 |
| RHODES POINT SOUTH WATERWORKS | 100 | 444 |
| CEDAR MOBILE HOME PARK | 300 | 348 |
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 Maryland water?
Maryland has 7,992 public water systems. 3891 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 Maryland 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