Nitrite in Ohio Drinking Water
Ohio has 16,365 public water systems. 8941 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
16,365
With Violations
8,941
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
11.1M
Nitrite in Ohio: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
16,365
Systems with Violations
8,941
Lead Violations
223
Copper Violations
1,665
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Ohio
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| RISINGSUN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 25 | 2808 |
| LAMP LIGHTERS VILLAGE PWS | 60 | 2374 |
| SONRISE CHURCH | 50 | 1786 |
| SANDY BEACH TRAILER PARK | 100 | 1644 |
| FRONTIER CAMPGROUND | 100 | 1580 |
| THE MARFO COMPANY | 90 | 1447 |
| WHISPERING WINDS MHC | 100 | 1429 |
| WOODBURY APARTMENTS PWS | 120 | 1407 |
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 Ohio water?
Ohio has 16,365 public water systems. 8941 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 Ohio 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