What’s in Your Water: Nitrates

Hi from SOURCE! We’re here with the latest and final installment of our “What’s in Your Water?” series, dedicated to breaking down common contaminants you may be drinking from your tap. This blog article examines nitrates in public and private water systems, their impact on your health, and how to avoid consuming them. Check out our previous dispatch on Disinfection Byproducts here.
If you live near farming land or agricultural industry, you may have heard from your neighbors or local officials about the growing concern over nitrates in the water system. For smaller communities across the U.S., nitrates are a common contaminant in our public water and private wells, and at high levels, they can cause some unwanted health effects if left unchecked.
In this blog, we’re looking at one of the most common pollutants in drinking water–nitrates–and explaining what they are, how they get to our tap, and how to take caution when it comes to your source of hydration. Fellow rural Americans, keep reading! You’ll want to know how to keep your family safe while still enjoying a life surrounded by green pastures and fresh produce. See the end of this article for SOURCE’s solution to unwanted nitrates in your hydration system.
Understanding Nitrates
Before we discuss the risks associated with nitrate contamination, let’s first explain what these compounds are and how they get into the water we drink. Nitrates are nitrogen and oxygen molecules. They are an essential part of the nitrogen cycle responsible for plant growth and occur naturally in soil, water, and the air. Some common foods can contain nitrates, and in small doses, these compounds are pretty harmless. But it’s a different story when it comes to our drinking water.
Human activities, such as livestock operations or septic systems, can dramatically increase nitrate levels in a given area. Of course, agriculture is often a huge part of life in small or rural communities. While these operations provide life-sustaining food and income, they can also increase nitrate levels in streams, rivers, and groundwater due to excess fertilizer or animal waste runoff.
Because nitrates are soluble in water, they persist as a problem for water utilities and people living on wells. Many people in the country rely on wells over municipal water service, so it’s especially important to understand how these little compounds can spell big problems for our health.
A Cause for Concern
So what’s the big deal with nitrates, you ask? Well, when drinking water with high levels of nitrates, people can get sick–particularly our little ones. Fetuses and infants exposed to nitrates can have something called methemoglobinemia, better known as “blue baby syndrome.” The risks are less severe for adults, but because nitrates impact how our blood carries oxygen, they can still lead to costly and complicated health hazards for people of any age. Associated risks can include cancer, thyroid conditions, and reproductive problems.
We might think, “That can’t happen to us; we’re super careful with our water!” But hold on a minute. Nitrates are sneaky and can be challenging to detect. They don’t have a taste or smell, so private well owners may not know anything is wrong between water tests.
Of course, our public officials work hard to ensure that tap water doesn’t have nitrate levels above the federal limit. However, natural disasters, storm events, and negligent farming practices can still affect private and public water systems alike, so it’s important to know how to avoid giving your family a glass of water that poses long-term dangers to our well-being.
Avoiding Overexposure
Okay, so nitrates are harmful in big numbers. But what can you do as a resident of a smaller municipality or a private well owner? There are several things you can do to protect yourself. Because nitrates do not change the color or odor of water, laboratory tests are the only surefire way to know precisely what your nitrate levels are. And these tests, of course, are pretty expensive and can create a significant burden for people who regularly check their groundwater's safety. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends testing for nitrates at least once a year. Still, if you’re like us and know you live near farms that use fertilizers or have excess waste, you’d probably want to check more often (especially after heavy rains) to get the peace of mind you want for your family’s safety.
If you find that our nitrate levels are high, don’t panic! There are options available. One of the most effective ways to reduce nitrates is through water treatment systems designed to remove them. This could be a reverse osmosis system or ion exchange units. However, these solutions are also a significant investment for your household and can be confusing or complex to navigate independently. You can check with your local water officials to see if they offer support, but this isn’t guaranteed or a long-term solution to your water worries.
At SOURCE, we know how much of an impact nitrate contamination can have for people in agricultural zones or small communities. That’s why we want to educate people about the Hydropanel solution to drinking water, which can ease anxieties about various contaminants wherever you live! Our technology is a great way to sidestep nitrate concerns entirely and a one-time investment you can make for years of certainty that your water won’t hurt your babies or other loved ones over time.
Because Hydropanel sources pure water from the endless supply in the air (thanks to solar energy), any homeowner virtually anywhere in the U.S. can use it to replace potable water from a well or get around problems with their local water service. The system only collects pure water molecules, mineralizes the liquid for health and taste, and then further polishes it, so the water from the tap is 100% nitrate-free, 100% of the time. This means that even if you live next door to a farm, your water is safe for everyone in the family to enjoy!
Right now, you can get a FREE consultation on how SOURCE Hydropanel could work for you. Fill out our Virtual Site Survey form with your details, and a team member will respond with a complimentary report that estimates the cost, installation, and the amount of water you can produce daily in your region. In a world characterized by increasing uncertainty over our shared resources, SOURCE is a perfect option for Americans looking to ensure our hydration is always safe.