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California Department of Public Health Nitrates and Nitrites in Drinking Water Last Update:June 13, 2008 What is nitrate? Nitrates can be found in drinking water supplies. Their presence in groundwater is generally associated with septic systems, confined animal feeding operations, or fertilizer use. These sources of nitrate contamination are more associated with rural settings, and are often subjects of drinking water source protection proorams. Nitrates are also present in treated wastewater, and as such can be present in surface water, or in treated wastewater used in groundwater recharge projects. These sources can pose risks to urban drinking water supplies. Nitrates are also used in industry,for example, in the production of fertilizers and explosives. What's the concern about nitrate/nitrite in drinking water? Nitrite can interfere with the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues of the body, producing a condition called methemoglobinemia. It is of greatest concern in infants, whose immature stomach environment enables conversion of nitrate to nitrite, which is then absorbed into the blood stream. The effects of nitrite are often referred to as the"blue baby syndrome." High nitrate levels may also affect the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood of pregnant women. These potential effects are identified in notification requirements[22 CCR§64465,Appendix 64465.D] The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment(OEHHA)established its public health goals(PHGs)for nitrate and nitrite in 1997. The PHGs, based on methemoglobinemia in the infant, are the same as the MCLS. What are the MCLS for nitrate in drinking water? The MCLS, in 22 CCR 463341, are: • 45 milligrams per liter(mg/L)for nitrate as NO3 (equivalent to 10 mg/L for nitrate as N) • 10 mg/L for nitrate plus nitrite as N • 1 mg/L for nitrite as N Where's nitrate been found in drinking water in California? Public water systems, because they are regulated by the State, (unlike private wells), are to analyze for nitrates and report the results to CDPH. Among regulated contaminants detected at levels greater than their MCLS in California, nitrates rank high. Based on monitoring data submitted to CDPH from 2002-2005: • Nitrate as NO3 was detected at least once above its MCL in 731 sources. The counties with the greatest number of sources include Los Angeles(123 sources),San Bernardino (82), Riverside (67), Kern (41), and Monterey(30) • Nitrate+ nitrite as N was detected at least once above its MCL in 169 sources. Sources per county include San Bernardino(38), Los Angeles(36), and Riverside(24) • Nitrite as N was detected at least once above its MCL in 21 sources. The counties with the greatest number of sources include:Alameda (7), San Joaquin (5), and Kern (4) What about water from private wells? • Private wells are not subject to drinking water regulation by CDPH. They are not public water systems—see 22 CCR 4116275 (h). • The MCLS can be used for guidance. • CDPH's Environmental Health Investigations Branch has prepared a fact sheet about nitrates in private well water.