Indicator Profile of Nitrate in Private Wells

Why Is This Important?

Nitrate is a nitrogen compound that occurs naturally in soil, water, plants, and food. It may be formed when microorganisms in the environment break down organic materials, such as plants, animal manure, and sewage. Nitrate can also be found in chemical fertilizers. Nitrate can get into drinking water from runoff of farms, golf courses and lawns, landfills, animal feedlots, and septic systems.

High levels of nitrate in drinking water can lead to methemoglobinemia, a form of anemia, particularly in infants ("blue baby syndrome") and pregnant women.

Nitrate in Private Wells, Percent of Tested Wells Exceeding MCL, September 2002 to April 2007, by County

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Data Notes

Data Source: Private Well Testing Act Program, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Well Test Results for September 2002 - April 2007, report published July 2008 

Definition

Percent of tested private wells with nitrate concentration exceeding the maximum contaminant level of 10 milligrams per liter

How We Calculated the Rates

Numerator: Number of tested private wells with nitrate concentration exceeding the maximum contaminant level of 10 milligrams per liter in a specified time period
Denominator: Number of tested private wells in a specified time period

Page Content Updated On 12/21/09, Published on 12/21/09
Environmental Public Health Tracking Project, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, PO Box 369, Trenton, NJ 08625-0369, Phone: 609-826-4984, e-mail: nj.epht@doh.state.nj.us, Web: www.nj.gov/health/epht
The information provided above is from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services' NJSHAD Web site (http://nj.gov/health/shad). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: "Retrieved Wed, 16 May 2012 16:19:05 from New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Center for Health Statistics, State Health Assessment Data Web site: http://nj.gov/health/shad".

Content updated: Wed, 2 May 2012 04:01:14 EDT