Notorious Nitrates in Water

Nitrate contamination can be found in rural communities all over the U.S. The EPA describes them as nitrogen-oxygen chemical units that combine with various organic and inorganic compounds. Unfortunately, those combinations can be dangerous; they should be taken very seriously if an individual well or area has a history of nitrate contamination.

Nitrates can enter your water through erosion of natural deposits, runoff of fertilizers and contamination from septic systems, with fertilizers as a common source. When nitrates are not completely absorbed by the soil or the crops, excess can often be found in groundwater and surface water supplies, which are in turn used in residential drinking water systems. Given that, homes near major agricultural centers should be on high alert for spikes in nitrate contamination. 

Nitrate is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Households who believe they may have high levels of nitrates in their water should invest in a test by a water professional, and then turn their attention to solving that issue.

When it comes to home water filtration, there are two major categories: point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems. POU solutions for filtration include reverse osmosis (RO) systems, which can often been seen installed under kitchen and bathroom sinks. Reverse osmosis uses pressure and semi-permeable membranes that can reduce water pollutants, like nitrates, up to 99%.

A POE system recommended for families with high nitrate problems would be a Culligan Nitrate Reduction System. Interested in learning more? Ask your local Culligan Expert for help.