Nitrate in Drinking Water — Veolia Water New Jersey ...
Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack (PWSID #NJ0238001) · Alpine, NJ · 792,713 people served
Data: EPA SDWIS, ECHO
Nitrate Detected in Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack (PWSID #NJ0238001)
Nitrate was detected at 2.3 mg/L in the Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack (PWSID #NJ0238001) water system serving Alpine, Bergenfield, Bogota, Carlstadt, Cliffside Park (NJ), below the EPA limit of 10 mg/L (as nitrogen).
This system serves approximately 792,713 people across 48 ZIP codes.
Detected Levels
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate as Nitrogen | 2.3 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:
- 07010
- 07020
- 07022
- 07024
- 07047
- 07070
- 07072
- 07073
- 07074
- 07075
- 07086
- 07093
- 07094
- 07458
- 07601
- 07603
- 07604
- 07605
- 07606
- 07607
- ...and 28 more ZIP codes
Related Resources
- Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack (PWSID #NJ0238001) — Full Water System Profile
- Nitrate in Drinking Water — Overview
- EPA: Nitrate
Detected Levels
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate as Nitrogen | 2.3 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 |