Nitrate in Drinking Water
Reference information plus historical EPA compliance records associated with nitrate.
EPA Limit (MCL)
10000 ppb
EPA Goal (MCLG)
10000 ppb
Category
Inorganic
Regulatory values are a concise reference, not legal or medical advice. Confirm the current standard and rule-specific details on EPA.gov.
Health Effects
Blue baby syndrome in infants under six months
Common Sources
Fertilizer runoff, septic systems, sewage, natural deposits
Treatment Considerations for Nitrate
Commonly cited treatment approaches include: Reverse osmosis, ion exchange. Choose treatment only after a certified water test identifies the substance and concentration; verify NSF/ANSI certification and consult a qualified local professional when needed.
30,769
Historical Violation Records
10,598
Systems With Records
Historical Nitrate Records by State
| State | Records | Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 5,539 | 1,332 |
| Washington | 3,622 | 1,423 |
| Oregon | 2,278 | 648 |
| Alaska | 2,004 | 329 |
| Texas | 1,683 | 237 |
| North Carolina | 1,459 | 743 |
| California | 1,302 | 353 |
| Florida | 1,228 | 613 |
| Connecticut | 1,184 | 275 |
| Arizona | 1,150 | 392 |
| Iowa | 1,140 | 446 |
| Utah | 1,033 | 313 |
| Ohio | 1,001 | 514 |
| Illinois | 707 | 280 |
| Colorado | 648 | 280 |
| Vermont | 486 | 197 |
| West Virginia | 443 | 118 |
| Kentucky | 402 | 181 |
| Montana | 312 | 222 |
| Kansas | 309 | 72 |
Systems With the Most Nitrate Violation Records
FRANKLIN WATER SYSTEMS 3
SEVEN ESTATES
SOUTH MIDLAND COUNTY WATER SYSTEM
BURLINGTON CITY OF
STRATHMORE PUBLIC UTIL DIST
COLUMBIA VIEW WATER SYSTEM
NOTTINGHAM MANOR M H COURT
TWIN VALLEY INC
CITY OF MORGAN HILL
DELTA WATER ASSOCIATION
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nitrate and why can it appear in drinking-water records?
Nitrate can be associated with drinking water through: Fertilizer runoff, septic systems, sewage, natural deposits.
What reference value does this page show?
The summarized EPA Maximum Contaminant Level is 10000 ppb. Some substances use action levels or rule-specific thresholds instead, so verify the current EPA standard.
Does a historical violation record mean it is in my tap today?
No. A compliance record may be historical or resolved. Use the latest Consumer Confidence Report or a certified test for current local conditions.