Study: Nearly 20% of Americans Drink Water with Dangerous Nitrate Levels
Environmental Working Group study reveals water systems serving over 3 million Americans exceeded federal nitrate safety limits between 2021-2023.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Nearly one-fifth of Americans relied on drinking water systems with elevated and potentially dangerous levels of nitrate between 2021 and 2023, according to a new study released Thursday by the Environmental Working Group.
The nonprofit research and advocacy organization analyzed test data from water systems nationwide during the three-year period, representing the most recent data available. Water systems serving more than 3 million people exceeded the federal safety limit of 10 milligrams per liter during this timeframe.
The findings reveal a broader contamination issue affecting millions more Americans. Thousands of water systems serving more than 62 million people reported nitrate levels above 3 milligrams per liter at least once during the study period, indicating human-caused drinking water contamination.
Health Concerns Mounting
Federal law currently limits nitrate levels in drinking water because of its association with blue-baby syndrome. However, researchers are increasingly questioning whether the federal threshold should be lowered as more studies find links between even low levels of nitrate consumption and serious health issues.
Recent scientific research has connected nitrate exposure to cancer and birth defects, raising concerns about the adequacy of current safety standards. The Environmental Protection Agency maintains the current limit of 10 milligrams per liter, but the new findings suggest contamination occurs at levels well below this threshold.
Agricultural Impact on Water Quality
The study highlights how agricultural activities contribute to nitrate contamination in drinking water systems. Nitrate typically enters water supplies as a byproduct of farming practices, particularly in agricultural states where intensive farming operations are common.
The Environmental Working Group’s analysis examined data collected by water systems across the country, providing a comprehensive look at nitrate contamination levels nationwide. The organization focused on the period from 2021 to 2023 to capture the most current available information about drinking water quality.
The research underscores the ongoing challenges facing water utilities in maintaining safe drinking water standards while agricultural runoff continues to impact water sources. The 3 milligram per liter benchmark used in the study represents a level that scientists consider indicative of human-caused contamination, well below the federal safety limit.
