Nitrate and nitrite are nitrogen-oxygen molecules that can combine with many organic and inorganic compounds. Nitrate is the form commonly found in water, often in areas where nitrogen-based fertilizers are used. The greatest use of nitrate is as a fertilizer. Infants are at greatest risk for illness from exposure to high levels of nitrate. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate is 10 mg/L.
Measure Description:
- Public Water Systems - Avg is the number of community water systems that have an annual average concentration of a contaminant in the listed concentration range.
- Population Served - Avg is the population served by community water systems that have an annual average concentration of a contaminant in the listed concentration range.
- Public Water Systems - Max is the number of community water systems that have an annual maximum concentration of a contaminant in the listed concentration range.
- Population Served - Max is the population served by community water systems that have an annual maximum concentration of a contaminant in the listed concentration range.
- Public Water Systems - Qtr is the number of community water systems that have an quarterly average concentration of a contaminant in the listed concentration range.
- Population Served - Qtr is the population served by community water systems that have an quarterly average concentration of a contaminant in the listed concentration range.
- Average Concentration by Public Water System is the average concentration of a contaminant.