Water should be simple. Turn on the tap, fill your glass, drink. But if you’ve been paying attention to water quality news lately, you’ve probably heard about nitrates showing up in drinking water supplies across the country. And if you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably wondering: Should I be worried? What exactly are nitrates? And what can I do about them?
Let’s cut through the confusion and get to what you actually need to know about nitrates in your drinking water. Because while the topic might sound technical and intimidating, the reality is more straightforward than you might think.
What Are Nitrates and How Do They Get in Water?
Nitrates are naturally occurring compounds made up of nitrogen and oxygen. In small amounts, they’re everywhere—in soil, in plants, even in your body. Nitrogen is essential for life, and nitrates are just one form it takes as it cycles through the environment.
The problem isn’t that nitrates exist. The problem is when they show up in concentrations that are higher than what’s safe for drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency has set the maximum allowable level of nitrates in public drinking water at 10 parts per million (ppm), measured as nitrogen. That might sound like a tiny amount, but when nitrate levels exceed this threshold, they can pose serious health risks, especially for infants and pregnant women.
So how do nitrates end up in your water supply? The answer usually comes down to human activity. Agricultural runoff is the biggest culprit. When farmers apply nitrogen-based fertilizers to their crops, some of that nitrogen doesn’t get absorbed by plants. Instead, it seeps into groundwater or runs off into surface water sources. Over time, this can lead to elevated nitrate levels in wells and municipal water supplies.
Septic systems are another common source. When septic tanks aren’t properly maintained or when they’re located too close to wells, nitrates from human waste can contaminate groundwater. Animal waste from livestock operations can have the same effect, especially when it’s not properly managed.
What Causes Nitrates in Water?
Understanding the sources of nitrate contamination helps explain why some areas have higher levels than others. Agricultural regions, particularly those with intensive farming operations, tend to have the highest nitrate levels in their water supplies. States like California, Nebraska, and parts of the Midwest have been dealing with this issue for decades.
The type of farming matters too. Corn and soybean operations, which rely heavily on nitrogen fertilizers, are more likely to contribute to nitrate contamination than other types of agriculture. The timing of fertilizer application also plays a role—when fertilizers are applied right before heavy rains, more nitrogen is likely to wash away rather than being absorbed by crops.
Urban and suburban development can also contribute to the problem. Lawn fertilizers, golf course maintenance, and even pet waste can add to the nitrogen load in local water supplies. While these sources might seem minor compared to large-scale agriculture, they can have a significant impact in densely populated areas.
Climate and geology also influence nitrate levels. Areas with sandy soils and shallow groundwater are more vulnerable to contamination because nitrates can move through these conditions more easily. Regions with heavy rainfall or irrigation can also see higher nitrate levels due to increased leaching and runoff.
How Do Nitrates Affect Water Quality?
Here’s something that might surprise you: nitrates don’t change the taste, smell, or appearance of your water. You can’t detect them with your senses, which is part of what makes them concerning. Your water might look crystal clear and taste perfectly fine while still containing nitrate levels that exceed safe drinking standards.
This is why regular water testing is so important, especially if you get your water from a private well. Public water systems are required to test for nitrates regularly and notify customers if levels exceed EPA standards. But if you’re on a private well, that responsibility falls to you.
Nitrates are highly soluble, which means they dissolve easily in water and don’t settle out over time. They also don’t break down naturally in most water systems, so once they’re in your water supply, they tend to stay there unless they’re actively removed.
The seasonal variation in nitrate levels is also worth noting. Concentrations often peak in late spring and early summer, following fertilizer application and spring rains. If you’re testing your well water, it’s a good idea to test during this peak period to get an accurate picture of your maximum exposure.
Health Effects of Nitrate in Drinking Water
Now for the part that really matters: what nitrates can do to your health. The primary concern is a condition called methemoglobinemia, also known as “blue baby syndrome.” This condition affects the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, and it’s most dangerous for infants under six months old.
When infants consume water with high nitrate levels, bacteria in their digestive systems can convert nitrates to nitrites. These nitrites then interfere with hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. In severe cases, this can lead to oxygen deprivation, which causes the bluish skin color that gives the condition its name.
Pregnant women are also at higher risk. High nitrate consumption during pregnancy has been linked to birth defects and pregnancy complications. The developing fetus is particularly vulnerable to oxygen deprivation, making nitrate exposure a serious concern for expectant mothers.
For healthy adults, the immediate health risks from nitrate consumption are generally lower. However, some studies have suggested potential links between long-term nitrate exposure and certain types of cancer, though the research is still ongoing and the evidence isn’t conclusive.
People with certain health conditions may also be more sensitive to nitrates. Those with compromised immune systems, digestive disorders, or certain genetic conditions may be at higher risk for nitrate-related health problems.
How to Remove Nitrates from Drinking Water
If testing reveals that your water has elevated nitrate levels, don’t panic. There are effective treatment options available, though not all water treatment methods work for nitrate removal.
Standard water softeners won’t remove nitrates. Neither will basic carbon filters or sediment filters. Nitrates require specific treatment technologies that are designed to handle dissolved contaminants.
Ion exchange is one effective method. This technology works similarly to water softening, but uses a different type of resin that specifically targets nitrates. The system exchanges nitrate ions for chloride ions, effectively removing the nitrates from your water. These systems require regular maintenance and resin replacement, but they can be very effective when properly maintained.
Distillation is another option, though it’s typically more expensive and energy-intensive. Distillation systems boil water and then condense the steam, leaving contaminants behind. While effective for nitrate removal, these systems are usually only practical for treating small amounts of water.
Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Nitrates?
Yes, and this is often the most practical solution for most homeowners. Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are highly effective at removing nitrates from drinking water. These systems force water through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks nitrates and many other contaminants while allowing clean water to pass through.
A quality RO system can remove 85-95% of nitrates from your water, bringing levels well below EPA safety standards. RO systems are also effective against a wide range of other contaminants, making them a comprehensive solution for water quality concerns.
The main considerations with RO systems are the initial cost and ongoing maintenance. You’ll need to replace filters regularly, and the system does waste some water during the filtration process. However, for many homeowners dealing with nitrate contamination, RO provides the most reliable and cost-effective long-term solution.
Under-sink RO systems are popular because they provide treated water directly at your kitchen tap, where you’re most likely to use it for drinking and cooking. Whole-house RO systems are also available, though they’re more expensive and typically only necessary in cases of severe contamination.
Ready to find out what’s in your water? Contact us at Aqua Soft Water Systems today for a free water analysis and learn how we can help protect your family’s health with the right water treatment solution.
