Nitrite in Montana Drinking Water
Montana has 4,736 public water systems. 3457 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
4,736
With Violations
3,457
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
1.1M
Nitrite in Montana: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
4,736
Systems with Violations
3,457
Lead Violations
28
Copper Violations
172
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Montana
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| MALTA CITY OF | 2K | 3072 |
| WESTVIEW MOBILE HOME PARK | 947 | 2111 |
| SPRINGHILL PARK SUBDIVISION | 90 | 1959 |
| BRADY COUNTY WATER SEWER DISTRICT | 144 | 1954 |
| CLYDE PARK WATER DEPT | 300 | 1877 |
| ST CHARLES SCHOOL | 152 | 1793 |
| PLEASANT PARK COMMUNITY INC | 125 | 1791 |
| FOREST PARK WATER RSID 24 | 1K | 1742 |
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 Montana water?
Montana has 4,736 public water systems. 3457 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 Montana 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