| Nitrate in Drinking Water |
| Nitrate (N03) is the primary source of nitrogen (N) for plants; it is a nutrient plants cannot live without. Extensive farming can rob the soil of its natural nitrogen sources, so farmers often add nitrate fertilizers. Properly managed, nitrogen does not endanger health and can increase crop production. However, when more nitrogen is added to the soil than the plants can use, excess nitrate can leach into groundwater supplies and contaminate wells. This is when it’s common to find nitrate in drinking water. Nitrate is converted to a very toxic substance (nitrite) in the digestive systems of human infants and some livestock. Therefore, finding nitrate in drinking water is a serious problem and should be dealt with immediately. Home Page | FAQs | Glossary | Contact Us |