Nitrite in Nevada Drinking Water
Nevada has 1,566 public water systems. 1127 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
1,566
With Violations
1,127
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
3.5M
Nitrite in Nevada: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
1,566
Systems with Violations
1,127
Lead Violations
10
Copper Violations
55
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Nevada
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT | 26K | 2313 |
| LEE CANYON SKI AREA | 352 | 1627 |
| ELKHORN WATER ASSOCIATION LLC | 25 | 1364 |
| ROSEMOUNT WATER CO | 54 | 1179 |
| CARSON RIVER ESTATES | 105 | 1089 |
| DESERT SUNRISE WATER USERS ASSOC | 25 | 1020 |
| WHISPERING VINE | 125 | 1002 |
| YERINGTON CITY OF | 5K | 966 |
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 Nevada water?
Nevada has 1,566 public water systems. 1127 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 Nevada 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