Nitrate-nitrite in drinking water
Total of nitrate and nitrite as nitrogen.
Health: See nitrate.
Across the US
138 community water systems had at least one health-based Nitrate-nitrite violation since 2016. Routine Nitrate-nitrite sample results are reported to states, not to EPA's national database, so this page ranks systems by violations rather than levels.
Most violations
| Water system | People | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| Okarche Rural Water District, Inc | 250 | 42 |
| Canadian County Rural Water District # 1 | 750 | 41 |
| City of Edgar | 428 | 41 |
| Grandfield Water System | 1,110 | 40 |
| Okarche Water System | 1,110 | 39 |
| Village of Steele City | 60 | 34 |
| Thirsty Water Corp | 81 | 32 |
| Geary Water System | 1,258 | 28 |
| Major County Rural Water District #1 | 1,000 | 28 |
| Town of Aline | 214 | 27 |
| Village of Allen | 377 | 25 |
| King Ranch Colony Water System | 56 | 24 |
| Village of Prosser | 76 | 23 |
| Village of Burr | 57 | 23 |
| City of Plainview | 1,282 | 22 |
| Loyal Water System | 81 | 20 |
| Dill City Water System | 526 | 19 |
| Carmen Public Works Authority | 355 | 17 |
| Village of Ong | 48 | 17 |
| City of Wisner | 1,239 | 16 |
| Emwt RWA Homestead | 208 | 14 |
| Hollis Water System | 2,264 | 13 |
| Tipton Water System | 916 | 12 |
| Canute Water System | 524 | 12 |
| Cleo Springs Water System | 326 | 12 |
States with the most systems with violations
- Oklahoma: 45
- Nebraska: 45
- Montana: 18
- California: 12
- Wyoming: 6
- New Mexico: 3
- Georgia: 2
- Wisconsin: 2
- Indiana: 2
- Missouri: 1
- Virginia: 1
- Kansas: 1
Sources
The limits, health goals and health effects on this page come from these EPA sources. The results come from EPA's monitoring data for each water system.
- EPA: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (limits and health effects table)
- EPA ECHO: Safe Drinking Water Information System data
This page summarizes public regulatory information. It is not medical advice. How we source and check this site.
Questions
What is the safe level of Nitrate-nitrite in drinking water?
The federal legal limit (MCL) is 10 ppm. EPA's health goal (MCLG), the level with no known risk, is 10 ppm.
How do I remove Nitrate-nitrite from tap water?
See the filter guidance on this page: look for a product certified for Nitrate-nitrite specifically, and check the claim in NSF's certified product listings.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.