Nitrite in Rhode Island Drinking Water
Rhode Island has 1,147 public water systems. 586 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
1,147
With Violations
586
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
1.1M
Nitrite in Rhode Island: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
1,147
Systems with Violations
586
Lead Violations
30
Copper Violations
78
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Rhode Island
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| BETHEL VILLAGE WATER ASSN | 180 | 600 |
| AEGEAN PIZZA | 155 | 589 |
| CHIMERA INC | 133 | 562 |
| NEW ENGLAND FARMS | 75 | 546 |
| PRUDENCE ISLAND WATER DISTRICT | 2K | 506 |
| ROCKLAND OAKS AN0 | 26 | 469 |
| LAWRENCE SUNSET COVE ASSOCIATION | 36 | 449 |
| COOPER HILL OFFICE COMPLEX | 75 | 418 |
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 Rhode Island water?
Rhode Island has 1,147 public water systems. 586 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 Rhode Island 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