Nitrate in Drinking Water — Canadian Co Rwd # 1, OK
Canadian Co Rwd # 1 · Calumet, OK · 750 people served
Data: EPA SDWIS, ECHO, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report
Nitrate Detected in CANADIAN CO RWD # 1
Nitrate was detected at 13.6 mg/L in the CANADIAN CO RWD # 1 water system serving Calumet, Geary (OK), exceeding the EPA limit of 10 mg/L (as nitrogen).
This system serves approximately 750 people across 2 ZIP codes.
Data source: 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) and EPA SDWIS/ECHO.
Detected Levels
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 13.6 ppm | 10 ppm | Violation |
Health Effects of Nitrate
Nitrate above 10 mg/L is acutely dangerous for infants under 6 months old, causing methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") — a condition where nitrate reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Symptoms include bluish skin, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, death. In adults, long-term nitrate exposure is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer, thyroid disease, and neural tube birth defects. Agricultural runoff is the primary source of nitrate contamination.
Source: CDC — Nitrate and Drinking Water from Private Wells; EPA.
EPA Standard
The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate is 10 mg/L (as nitrogen), governed by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Water systems that exceed this limit must notify consumers and take corrective action.
What You Can Do
- If you have an infant, do NOT use tap water for formula preparation if nitrate exceeds 10 mg/L
- Install a reverse osmosis system — the most effective household nitrate removal method
- Ion exchange filters are also effective for nitrate removal
- Do NOT boil water to remove nitrate — boiling concentrates it and makes it worse
- Standard carbon filters and water softeners do NOT remove nitrate
- If on a private well near agricultural land, test at least annually
Recommended Water Filters
The most effective treatment for nitrate removal is Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange.
| Filter Type | Effectiveness | NSF Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) | 90-95% | NSF 58 | Most reliable home treatment for nitrate |
| Ion Exchange | 90-95% | NSF 53 | Effective but may release other ions; requires regular regeneration |
| Distillation | 95%+ | NSF 62 | Effective but slow and energy-intensive |
ZIP Codes Served by This System
Check water quality for your specific ZIP code:
Related Resources
Detected Levels
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 13.6 ppm | 10 ppm | Violation |
Recommended Water Filters
The most effective treatment for nitrate removal is Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange.
| Filter Type | Effectiveness | NSF Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) | 90-95% | NSF 58 | Most reliable home treatment for nitrate |
| Ion Exchange | 90-95% | NSF 53 | Effective but may release other ions; requires regular regeneration |
| Distillation | 95%+ | NSF 62 | Effective but slow and energy-intensive |