Learn the Issues

This page shows all of the pages at www.epa.gov that are tagged with Learn the Issues.

  • What should I do if my water has elevated nitrates and/or exceeds the MCL?

    If nitrate exceeds the MCL of 10 mg/L, you should find a safe alternative drinking water supply. The quickest thing to do is to begin using bottled water for drinking. Another option is to install a treatment that will remove nitrate from your water such as reverse osmosis or a…

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  • What are the possible health effects of nitrate exposure?

    Short-term: Excessive levels of nitrate in drinking water have caused serious illness and sometimes death. The serious illness in infants is due to the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by the body, which can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the child’s blood leading to blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia). This…

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  • What is EPA doing?

    EPA is working with its governmental partners and other stakeholders to investigate and address the issue. Most recently, EPA issued a letter to the state of Minnesota requesting a plan of action to address nitrate contamination in drinking water.

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  • How do I have my drinking water tested in the future?

    Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends you use an accredited laboratory to test your water. Contact an accredited laboratory to get sample containers and instructions or ask your county environmental or public health services if they provide well testing services. Accredited Labs in Minnesota Accepting Drinking Water Samples from Private…

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  • Is it safe to shower or bathe in water if it is over the nitrate MCL of 10 mg/L?

    Nitrate is only a concern for ingestion (eating and drinking). It is not absorbed through your skin. People who install filter systems for nitrate often install them just for their kitchen sink faucet, and they use that faucet for their cooking and drinking water.

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  • Will boiling my water help?

    No. Boiling water will NOT reduce nitrate levels. In fact, it will make the level of nitrate worse because some of the water will evaporate but the nitrate will not. This increases the concentration of nitrate in water.

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  • Report: Inter-annual Variability of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in the Bonita Peak Mining District

    Report on Inter-annual Variability of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in the Bonita Peak Mining District, December 2020

  • Denver Water Variance Associated Documents

    Denver Water’s request for a SDWA variance has been signed. Attached are the signed cover letter, order, appendix, and signed version of the FR notice.

  • How are people potentially exposed to nitrate?

    For many situations, the potential for children’s exposure from drinking water is medium to low. The potential can be higher when private wells become contaminated with nitrates from feed lot and agricultural runoff, and contaminated groundwater. Some geographic areas are at higher risk of drinking water contamination of private wells…

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  • What Communities are Doing

    Overview of the communities across the country that have come together, working with EPA and state/local agencies, to help their local waterways.

  • Cleanup Activities

    Links to interactive maps and resutls viewer

  • What happens after the track work is completed?

    The track work has been the highest priority to remove most contamination as early as possible. This, plus preventing the spread of contamination by capturing water from the site and constructing a bypass of Sulphur Run around the site will continue into June. While track work and water management continue…

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  • Photo Slideshow

    Photo slideshow of images from the USS Lead cleanup.

  • Is there a temporary water treatment system being installed on the site?

    Norfolk Southern has brought in water treatment equipment and made a request to EPA and Ohio EPA to approve a plan for on-site treatment of water that came into contact with contaminated areas. Currently, this water is treated as hazardous waste because it has come into contact with site contamination…

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  • What are the health agencies doing?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are analyzing their Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey results to assess the health impacts of the train derailment. CDC and ATSDR continue to support the Ohio and Pennsylvania health departments and will be…

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  • Direct Implementation in Indian Country

    EPA’s Direct Implementation of Federal Environmental Programs in Indian Country

  • Overview of EPA's Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights

    EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights

  • National Coastal Condition Assessment 2010 Results

    Results for the National Coastal Condition Assessment 2010, including key findings, national results, and regional results.

  • National Highlight - Comparing Natural Lakes and Manmade Reservoirs

    Exploring the similarities and differences between natural lakes and manmade reservoirs with the National Lakes Assessment 2012 data

  • Relative Extent, Relative Risk and Attributable Risk Calculations

    PDF of the Relative Extent, Relative Risk, and Attributable Risk calcuations.

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