Why Is This Important?

Nitrate is a nitrogen compound that occurs naturally in soil, water, plants, and food. It may be formed when microorganisms in the environment break down organic material such as plants, animal manure, and sewage. Nitrate can also be found in chemical fertilizers. Nitrate can get into drinking water from runoff of farms, golf courses and lawns, or from landfills, animal feedlots, and septic systems. Under certain conditions, the body changes nitrate to nitrite. Methemoglobinemia, a form of anemia, can result from the reaction of nitrite with hemoglobin in the blood. When this occurs, the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the body's tissues is decreased. In infants, this condition is called "blue baby" syndrome. Pregnant women are also more susceptible to nitrate/nitrite-induced methemoglobin.

Definition

The distribution of nitrate concentration in drinking water, by community water system, population served, and year The New Jersey Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate in drinking water is 10 milligrams per liter. Data are presented for community water systems that reported test results for the specified time interval.

Data Source

How the Measure is Calculated

• Numerator:

  Number of community water systems by nitrate concentration in drinking water

• Denominator:

  Not applicable

Related Health Objectives and Indicators

Related Relevant Population Characteristics Indicators:

• Nitrate in Private Wells
• Arsenic in Community Drinking Water Systems
• Disinfection By Products in Community Drinking Water Systems
• Tetrachloroethylene in Community Drinking Water Systems
• Radium in Community Drinking Water Systems
• Trichloroethylene in Community Drinking Water Systems
• Uranium in Community Drinking Water Systems

Health Topic Pages Related to: Nitrate in Community Drinking Water Systems

• Water Quality