Nitrite in Texas Drinking Water
Texas has 16,249 public water systems. 12957 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
16,249
With Violations
12,957
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
33.1M
Nitrite in Texas: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
16,249
Systems with Violations
12,957
Lead Violations
52
Copper Violations
307
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Texas
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| SEVEN ESTATES | 189 | 11570 |
| KID KORRAL | 0 | 6065 |
| VALLEY ESTATES | 68 | 4987 |
| OAK HILL ACRES MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION | 81 | 3979 |
| ELM GROVE MOBILE HOME PARK | 0 | 3974 |
| FORT JACKSON MOBILE ESTATES | 23 | 3820 |
| PEACEFUL LANE VILLAGE | 21 | 3794 |
| COUNTRY VIEW MHP | 54 | 3651 |
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 Texas water?
Texas has 16,249 public water systems. 12957 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 Texas 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