Inorganic chemicals
Nitrite in U.S. tap water
59 public water systems across 19 U.S. states report Nitrite in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 1 sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
A compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits.
Why it's regulated
Like nitrate, elevated levels can cause 'blue baby syndrome' in infants.
At or above the federal limit (1)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Boonsboro Keedysville, MD 2024 annual report | 0.0021–6 mg/L | 6.0× the limit |
Within the federal limit (57)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Chandler, AZ 2024 annual report | 0–0.43 mg/L |
| City of Hialeah, FL 2023 annual report | 0–0.2 mg/L |
| City of Homestead, FL 2023 annual report | 0–0.2 mg/L |
| City of North Miami Beach, FL 2023 annual report | 0–0.2 mg/L |
| Manchester, NH 2024 annual report | 0–0.2 mg/L |
| Miami Dade, FL 2023 annual report | 0–0.2 mg/L |
| Cambridge, MA 2024 annual report | 0–0.13 mg/L |
| Pembroke Pines, FL 2024 annual report | 0.11 mg/L |
| Bend, OR 2025 annual report | 0.1 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA 2024 annual report | 0.1 mg/L |
| City of Robins, IA 2024 annual report | 0–0.1 mg/L |
| Glenbrook Cove Subdivision of Marion, IA 2024 annual report | 0.1 mg/L |
| Poweshiek Water Association, IA 2024 annual report | 0–0.1 mg/L |
| Salt Lake City, UT 2024 annual report | 0–0.1 |
| Palm Bay, FL 2024 annual report | 0.087 mg/L |
| Jacksonville, FL 2024 annual report | 0.07 mg/L |
| Jackson, MS 2024 annual report | 0.069 mg/L |
| Amarillo, TX 2024 annual report | 0.0688 mg/L |
| Wichita Falls, TX 2024 annual report | 0.0624–0.0624 |
| Thornton, CO 2024 annual report | 0–0.05 mg/L |
| Houston, TX 2023 annual report | 0.03 mg/L |
| Town of Accident, MD 2024 annual report | 0.02–0.02 mg/L |
| Lewisville, TX 2024 annual report | 0.01–0.017 mg/L |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL 2024 annual report | 0.0131–0.0166 mg/L |
| Louisville, KY 2024 annual report | 0.01 mg/L |
| Cedar Ridge, MD 2024 annual report | 0.00692 mg/L |
| Dallas, TX 2024 annual report | 0.006 mg/L |
| City of Hampton, VA 2024 annual report | 0.003 mg/L |
| City of Newport News, VA 2025 annual report | 0.002–0.003 mg/L |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2025 annual report | 0.002–0.003 mg/L |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2024 annual report | 0.003 mg/L |
| Hampton, VA 2025 annual report | 0.003 mg/L |
| James City County, VA 2025 annual report | 0.002–0.003 mg/L |
| James City County, VA 2024 annual report | 0.002–0.003 mg/L |
| Newport News, VA 2024 annual report | 0.002–0.003 mg/L |
| York County, VA 2024 annual report | 0.003 mg/L |
| York County, VA 2025 annual report | 0.003 mg/L |
| Birmingham, AL 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| City of Hemet, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| City of Menifee, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| City of Murrieta, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| City of Perris, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| City of San Jacinto, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| City of Temecula, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| East Valley Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Hartford, CT 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| High Point, NC 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Mills Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Mobile, AL 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Montgomery, AL 2024 annual report | Not detected |
Showing 50 of 57. The full list is in the JSON API.
Frequently asked
+What is Nitrite?
A compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. Like nitrate, elevated levels can cause 'blue baby syndrome' in infants.
+What is the federal limit for Nitrite in drinking water?
The federal MCLG for Nitrite is 1 mg/L. The EPA enforces this against the regulated reporting statistic (typically a running annual average or 90th percentile), not a single-sample spike.
+How many U.S. water systems have Nitrite over the federal limit?
1 of the 59 public water systems on The Water Map report Nitrite at or above its federal limit, spanning 19 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if Nitrite is in my city's tap water?
Search your city on The Water Map (https://www.thewatermap.com/) or browse the list on this page. Every U.S. public water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report that lists every contaminant it measured, including Nitrite.