Nitrite in Mississippi Drinking Water
Mississippi has 3,209 public water systems. 1977 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
3,209
With Violations
1,977
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
3.3M
Nitrite in Mississippi: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
3,209
Systems with Violations
1,977
Lead Violations
18
Copper Violations
115
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Mississippi
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| WEST JACKSON CO UTILITY DIST | 29K | 3503 |
| TOWN OF ABERDEEN | 8K | 2703 |
| KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE | 8K | 2534 |
| FANNIN WATER ASSN-NORTH | 8K | 1741 |
| LAFAYETTE SPRINGS WATER ASSN | 290 | 1664 |
| CITY OF RIPLEY | 11K | 1655 |
| CITY OF NEW ALBANY | 9K | 1650 |
| BUCKATUNNA WATER ASSOCIATION | 5K | 1603 |
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 Mississippi water?
Mississippi has 3,209 public water systems. 1977 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 Mississippi 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