NO3
Nitrate
inorganicSDWA code: 1040
EPA Limit (MCL)
10 mg/L
Health Goal (MCLG)
10 mg/L
Unit of Measure
mg/L as N
How concentrations are reported
Health Effects
Infants below 6 months can develop methemoglobinemia ('blue baby syndrome'). May also affect adults with certain conditions.
How It Gets Into Water
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks and sewage; erosion of natural deposits
How to Reduce Exposure
- 1Reverse osmosis or distillation removes nitrates
- 2Boiling water does NOT remove nitrates; it concentrates them
- 3Do not give well water to infants under 6 months without nitrate testing
- 4Ion exchange water softeners can remove nitrates
Always look for NSF/ANSI certified filtration products. Certification means the filter has been independently tested to remove the stated contaminants.
Official EPA Guidance
For authoritative information on Nitratein drinking water, visit the EPA's official resource page.
View EPA Guidance ↗