Nitrates-nitrites in drinking water

Source: MDDEFP

Nitrate-nitrite

Agricultural fertilizers, manure, domestic wastewater discharges and the decomposition of plant and animal organisms are among the most important sources of nitrate-nitrite. Given their high solubility in water, salts of nitrates and nitrites can easily migrate into the ground and end up in groundwater used for sourcing drinking water.

Consumption of water with a concentration greater than 10 mg/l can be an important source of nitrate-nitrite. The water used in preparing the bottles can produce a disease, methemoglobinemia, which affects the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Babies under six months are part of the group most at risk and should not consume water with a nitrate-nitrite concentration is greater than 10 mg/l. As a precaution, pregnant women should also refrain from consuming water from beyond this concentration. For the general population, it is not recommended to consume water regularly exceed this concentration. In addition, if the nitrate-nitrite is between 5 and 10 mg/l, it is also recommended to follow up at least twice a year.

In addition, if the results indicate a quantity of nitrate-nitrite greater than 5 mg/l, it will check for sources of contamination in the vicinity of the place of capture as the septic tank and the manure or fertilizer, and make the appropriate adjustments as needed. If the well is located in an agricultural area, you should check if the problem is regional in nature, informing the municipality so that it educates the county agronomist in charge of approving plans fertilization. Preventively, if the results indicate a concentration about 10 mg/l, the well should be abandoned as a source of water for ingestion or tap water should be treated by a reverse osmosis membrane or equivalent.