Best Nitrate Removal Options

Complete System with Nitrate Tank
6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

Nitrates in Your Drinking Water

How to Remove Nitrates from Water

Removing nitrates from drinking water is a relatively simple. However, it is important to use the proper nitrate removal method. Carbon based filters such as fridge filters, Britas, or PUR, will Not remove nitrates. If your drinking water is sourced near agricultural run off it is likely nitrates are present in your water. Most of the excess nitrates in the environment originate from inorganic chemicals manufactured for agriculture. Do Not Boil – This will concentrate the contaminant.

City Water Filter offers a special nitrate filter that can be added to the 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System. This will completely remove nitrates from drinking water.
The Automatic Whole House Nitrate Water tank is designed to remove Nitrates from water, as well as perform other water filtration for homes and small businesses. Great to reduce nitrates for those who choose to protect from the entry point of the home.

Whole House Nitrate Removal

According to the Risk Assessment Information System (RAIS), “Some organic nitrates can also be absorbed unchanged through the skin, gastrointestinal tract, mucous membranes, and lungs (Stokinger 1982).” The report also states, “The possibility of inorganic or organic nitrate functioning as a carcinogen depends on its conversion to nitrite and the subsequent reaction of nitrite with other molecules.” It does read differently than the EPA release. A under the sink Reverse Osmosis is not practical for whole house removal and the cost of a Whole House RO system is unrealistic.

Learn More About Nitrates:

RAIS Nitrate Toxicity Report

The primary concern from Nitrate exposure is interference with the body’s ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues causing Methemoglobinemia. This is also known a “Blue Baby” syndrome. A baby with this condition will have a bluish skin color.

Symptoms include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, and lethargy. Methemoglobinemia can be diagnosed with a blood test.

This is primarily a concern for infants because babies consume large quantities of water relative to their body weight, especially if water is used to mix formulas or juices.

Households with infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers, or elderly people are most susceptible to nitrate and/or nitrite contamination.

When water quality standards are maintained, healthy adults and kids are not at risk. However, some individuals with exposure to antioxidant medications and chemicals may be more susceptible.

What is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for nitrate in drinking water?

The MCLs are:

45 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for Nitrate as NO3 (Nitrate)
10 mg/L for Nitrate as N (Nitrogen)
10 mg/L for Nitrate + Nitrite as N
1 mg/L for Nitrite as N.