Question 1

What is the EPA limit for nitrate in drinking water?

Accepted Answer

The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for nitrate is 10 ppm. Public water systems must keep nitrate below this level.

Question 2

What are the health effects of nitrate in drinking water?

Accepted Answer

Nitrate is one of the most common contaminants in US groundwater. The primary acute health risk is methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome), a potentially fatal condition in infants under 6 months where nitrate converts hemoglobin to methemog

Question 3

Where does nitrate in drinking water come from?

Accepted Answer

Nitrate contamination comes primarily from agricultural sources: synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, animal manure from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and crop residue decomposition. The US applies approximately 13 million tons

Question 4

How do I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Accepted Answer

Nitrate is effectively removed by: Reverse Osmosis, Anion Exchange, Distillation. Look for NSF-certified filters that explicitly list nitrate reduction.

Nitrate in Drinking Water - EPA MCL, Health Effects & Removal