Nitrite in New York Drinking Water
New York has 26,516 public water systems. 13060 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
26,516
With Violations
13,060
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
19.3M
Nitrite in New York: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
26,516
Systems with Violations
13,060
Lead Violations
153
Copper Violations
503
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in New York
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| MANSARD APARTMENTS | 36 | 2433 |
| QUAKER CREEK STORE | 100 | 2073 |
| NEWBURGH CONSOLIDATED WD | 22K | 1884 |
| CAMILLOS AT THE CROSSROADS | 175 | 1733 |
| YANDOS APARTMENTS | 48 | 1667 |
| HUNTERS CREEK MOBILE HOME PARK | 150 | 1596 |
| BARKERS MOBILE HOME COLONY | 22 | 1589 |
| JOHNNYS PIZZERIA | 75 | 1543 |
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 New York water?
New York has 26,516 public water systems. 13060 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 New York 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