Nitrite in North Carolina Drinking Water
North Carolina has 23,923 public water systems. 12589 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
23,923
With Violations
12,589
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
9.9M
Nitrite in North Carolina: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
23,923
Systems with Violations
12,589
Lead Violations
494
Copper Violations
908
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in North Carolina
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| RIDGEDALE HOA | 0 | 7735 |
| CIRCLE H MHP | 68 | 6905 |
| CAROLINA MANOR MHP | 0 | 6493 |
| CONOVER MHP | 69 | 4459 |
| IMAGINATION STATION ACADEMY, LLC | 35 | 3749 |
| ALTAPASS WATER ASSOCIATION | 24 | 3361 |
| WHISPERING PINES MHP #1 | 0 | 3172 |
| TURKEY PEN MHP | 229 | 3092 |
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 North Carolina water?
North Carolina has 23,923 public water systems. 12589 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 North Carolina 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