Nitrite in Minnesota Drinking Water
Minnesota has 21,775 public water systems. 5018 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
21,775
With Violations
5,018
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
5.3M
Nitrite in Minnesota: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
21,775
Systems with Violations
5,018
Lead Violations
109
Copper Violations
393
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Minnesota
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| GRAND PORTAGE | 820 | 1966 |
| BUG-O-NAY-GE-SHIG SCHOOL GYM | 170 | 1198 |
| BUG-O-NAY-GE-SHIG VOCATIONAL SCHOOL | 180 | 1161 |
| NETT LAKE | 386 | 527 |
| NAYTAHWAUSH | 462 | 480 |
| CHIPPEWA RANCH | 25 | 460 |
| RICE LAKE | 65 | 459 |
| ELBOW LAKE | 50 | 408 |
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 Minnesota water?
Minnesota has 21,775 public water systems. 5018 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 Minnesota 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