Nitrite in Pennsylvania Drinking Water
Pennsylvania has 22,622 public water systems. 19019 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
22,622
With Violations
19,019
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
12.6M
Nitrite in Pennsylvania: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
22,622
Systems with Violations
19,019
Lead Violations
1,206
Copper Violations
970
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Pennsylvania
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| CONGREGATION OHR MENACHEM | 30 | 9908 |
| STOCKTON WATER SYSTEM | 85 | 7105 |
| SALEM HEIGHTS ESTATE | 62 | 6572 |
| SCOTT MOBILE HOME PARK | 64 | 5814 |
| PA AMERICAN AUDUBON | 8K | 5456 |
| AQUA PA SUN VALLEY | 120 | 4752 |
| GAHAGEN WATER ASSN | 49 | 4465 |
| LYON HILLS HOA | 75 | 3749 |
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 Pennsylvania water?
Pennsylvania has 22,622 public water systems. 19019 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 Pennsylvania 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