Inorganic chemicals
Nitrite in U.S. tap water
115 public water systems across 20 U.S. states report Nitrite in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 3 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 (3)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Boonsboro Keedysville, MD 2024 annual report | 0.0029–9 mg/L | 9.0× the limit |
| Sswd - Del Paso Manor Service Area — Sacramento, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 0–2.4 mg/L | 2.4× the limit |
| Golden Sands Mobile Home Park — Rosemead, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 1.4 mg/L | 1.4× the limit |
Within the federal limit (112)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Nps-ash Mountain — Three Rivers, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 0–0.6 mg/L |
| Fulton Water Company — Carnelian Bay, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 0.5 mg/L |
| Chandler, AZ 2024 annual report | 0.43 mg/L |
| Oak Grove Mobile Home Park — Bell Canyon, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 0.4 mg/L |
| Grand Prairie, TX 2024 annual report | 0.374 mg/L |
| Linda County Water District — Marysville, Ca, CA 2022 annual report | 0.3 mg/L |
| City of Wheatland — Wheatland, Ca, CA 2022 annual report | 0.25 mg/L |
| City of Hialeah, 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 |
| Stallion Springs Csd — Tehachapi, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 0–0.19 mg/L |
| Cambridge, MA 2024 annual report | 0.13 mg/L |
| Del Oro Water Co.-paradise Pines — Chico, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 0–0.11 mg/L |
| Pembroke Pines, FL 2024 annual report | 0.11 mg/L |
| Bend, OR 2025 annual report | 0.1 mg/L |
| Cedar Rapids, IA 2024 annual report | 0–0.1 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 | 0.1 mg/L |
| Salt Lake City, UT 2024 annual report | 0–0.1 mg/L |
| Palm Bay, FL 2024 annual report | 0.087 mg/L |
| Beverly Hills-city, Water Dept. — Beverly Hills, Ca, CA 2022 annual report | 0.001–0.08 mg/L |
| Jacksonville, FL 2024 annual report | 0–0.07 mg/L |
| Jackson, MS 2024 annual report | 0.069 mg/L |
| Amarillo, TX 2024 annual report | 0.0688 mg/L |
| Beverly Hills-city, Water Dept. — Beverly Hills, Ca, CA 2020 annual report | 0–0.066 mg/L |
| Wichita Falls, TX 2024 annual report | 0.0624 mg/L |
| Hialeah, FL 2023 annual report | 0.05 mg/L |
| 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 mg/L |
| Lewisville, TX 2024 annual report | 0.017 mg/L |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL 2024 annual report | 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 | 0.003 mg/L |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2024 annual report | 0.003 mg/L |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2025 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 |
| Newport News, VA 2024 annual report | 0.003 mg/L |
| York County, VA 2024 annual report | 0.003 mg/L |
| San Antonio Water Company — Upland, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 0–0.48 ug/L |
| Ann Arbor, MI 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency — Palmdale, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency — Palmdale, Ca, CA 2020 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency — Palmdale, Ca, CA 2021 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
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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?
3 of the 115 public water systems on The Water Map report Nitrite at or above its federal limit, spanning 20 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.