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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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.
What is the purpose of the Oil Pollution Prevention regulation? When oil spills into navigable waters or onto adjoining shorelines, it can have harmful impacts on the environment, human health, and economic activity. EPA issued the Oil Pollution Prevention regulation to prevent oil spills and to assure that oil facility…
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…
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.
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.
Nitrate is an acute contaminant, meaning that health effects can occur immediately (I.e. within hours or days) of short-term exposure. Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen. While most people recover quickly, this can be very dangerous for infants and some…
This EPA website (www.epa.gov/norwood) is dedicated to the investigations in the Norwood community. We encourage you to use the site and submit any questions you might have through the form that appears on the website. We also welcome any feedback you might have on the webpage.
The www.epa.gov/norwood website is the site with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding EPA’s investigations in the Norwood community.
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…
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…
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…
Nitrate (NO3) is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen naturally found in air, soil, water, and some food. Plants and animals require nitrates for their survival and growth, and the human body also produces this compound. In industry, nitrate is used as fertilizers for crops and lawns. Additionally, nitrates are…
Activated carbon filters, such as those in a “Brita” water pitcher, DO NOT remove nitrates.
Does EPA offer any Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) training materials specifically for the production sector? Yes. EPA has developed a “train-the-trainer” presentation for the production sector. The presentation provides information for organizations to hold trainings on the SPCC rule. The presentation is available in the SPCC Rule: Train-the-Trainer…
Please contact Katie Page, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, at 215-814-2409 or page.katherine@epa.gov to ask any questions related to your property.