Nitrite in Tennessee Drinking Water
Tennessee has 6,170 public water systems. 3083 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
6,170
With Violations
3,083
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
8.1M
Nitrite in Tennessee: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
6,170
Systems with Violations
3,083
Lead Violations
12
Copper Violations
88
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Tennessee
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| RED BOILING SPRINGS W.S. | 6K | 868 |
| DEERFIELD WATER SYSTEM, LLC | 1K | 746 |
| CEDAR CREEK HOME OWNERS ASSOC. | 25 | 551 |
| NORTH GREENE UTILITIES, INC. | 6K | 517 |
| BEECHVIEW CORPORATION | 25 | 478 |
| TELLICO PLAINS WATER DEPT | 8K | 468 |
| ROGERSVILLE WATER DEPT | 14K | 446 |
| HIWASSEE COLLEGE WATER SYSTEM | 250 | 431 |
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 Tennessee water?
Tennessee has 6,170 public water systems. 3083 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 Tennessee 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