Nitrite in Virginia Drinking Water
Virginia has 9,028 public water systems. 6368 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
9,028
With Violations
6,368
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
7.9M
Nitrite in Virginia: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
9,028
Systems with Violations
6,368
Lead Violations
109
Copper Violations
452
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Virginia
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| PONDEROSA MOBILE HOME PARK | 30 | 2587 |
| BARREN SPRINGS WATERWORKS INC | 146 | 2390 |
| SHENANDOAH UTILITY SERVICES | 55 | 2228 |
| LAKEWAY SUBDIVISION WATER SYSTEM | 25 | 1859 |
| GLENDALE SUBDIVISION | 42 | 1597 |
| BRENRIDGE SUBDIVISION | 175 | 1477 |
| HILLSBORO, TOWN OF | 88 | 1416 |
| STANLEY MOBILE HOME PARK - SOUTH | 40 | 1128 |
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 Virginia water?
Virginia has 9,028 public water systems. 6368 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 Virginia 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