Crystal Quest Nitrate Whole House Water Filter
Nitrate (NO3) comes into water supplies through the nitrogen cycle rather than via dissolved minerals. It is one of the major ions in natural waters. Most nitrate that occurs in drinking water is the result of contamination of groundwater supplies by septic systems, feedlots, and agricultural fertilizers.
Natural bacteria in the soil can convert nitrogen into nitrate. Rain or irrigation water can carry nitrate down through the soil into groundwater. Your drinking water may contain nitrate if your well draws from this groundwater. The regeneration process should be done every 20 to 30 days depending on level of nitrate.
Nitrate is reduced to nitrite in the body. Nitrate in drinking water supplies may reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood (cyanosis) if ingested in sufficient amounts by infants under 6 months of age. This could cause a disease called methemoglobinemia, or “blue baby” syndrome.
The EPA has established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate at 10 mg/1 (PPM), measured as N. Unlike coliform or other types of bacteria, boiling the water will actually INCREASE the amount of nitrate remaining in the water, increasing the danger to infants.