Nitrite in Wisconsin Drinking Water
Wisconsin has 24,118 public water systems. 13271 have recorded nitrite violations.
Total Systems
24,118
With Violations
13,271
EPA MCL
1
Population Served
5.1M
Nitrite in Wisconsin: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
24,118
Systems with Violations
13,271
Lead Violations
59
Copper Violations
355
EPA Standard
1 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 1 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Wisconsin
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| WAUKESHA WATER UTILITY | 71K | 2969 |
| 52ND AVE WATER GROUP | 35 | 1760 |
| SOUTH PETERSON WELL ASSOC | 24 | 1446 |
| BROAD-A CORPORATION | 3 | 1306 |
| SILVER SPRING GOLF CENTER CLUBHOUSE | 600 | 1265 |
| SUSSEX VILLAGE HALL & WATER UTILITY | 12K | 1254 |
| MAPLE RIDGE ESTATES | 25 | 1161 |
| WILMOT UNION HIGH SCHOOL | 1K | 1121 |
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 Wisconsin water?
Wisconsin has 24,118 public water systems. 13271 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 Wisconsin 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