Nitrate (as Nitrogen)

Nitrate (as Nitrogen) Contamination in Tampa Bay Area Drinking Water - Health Risks and Treatment Solutions

Nitrate, measured as nitrogen, is a common drinking water contaminant that can pose health risks when found at elevated levels. In the Tampa Bay area, nitrate contamination has been detected in both municipal and private well water sources.

Presence of Nitrate in Tampa Bay Drinking Water

Nitrate enters drinking water through runoff from fertilizer use, leaking from septic systems and sewage, erosion of natural deposits, and industrial discharge. According to the EPA, nitrate levels above 10 ppm (the maximum contaminant level) have been detected in these Tampa Bay area communities:

Hillsborough County

• Apollo Beach

• Brandon

• Carrollwood

• Cheval

• Citrus Park

• Dover

• FishHawk

• Gibsonton

• Keystone

• Lake Magdalene

• Lutz

• Mango

• Orient Park

• Riverview

• Ruskin

• Seffner

• Sun City Center

• Temple Terrace

• Thonotosassa

• Town 'n' Country

• Valrico

• Wimauma

Pinellas County

• Bay Pines

• Bayonet Point

• Gulfport

• Holiday

• Hudson

• Hudson Beach

• Kenneth City

• Moon Lake

• New Port Richey

• New Port Richey East

• Oldsmar

• Palm Harbor

• Pinellas Park

• Port Richey

• Safety Harbor

• San Antonio

• Seminole

• South Pasadena

• St. Leo

• St. Petersburg

• Tarpon Springs

• Trinity

Pasco County

• Aripeka

• Crystal Springs

• Dade City

• Elfers

• Holiday

• Hudson

• Hudson Beach

• Lacoochee

• Land O' Lakes

• New Port Richey

• New Port Richey East

• Odessa

• Port Richey

• San Antonio

• Shady Hills

• St. Leo

• Trinity

• Wesley Chapel

• Zephyrhills

Polk County

• Auburndale

• Babson Park

• Davenport

• Dundee

• Eagle Lake

• Florence Villa

• Frostproof

• Haines City

• Highland Park

• Hillcrest Heights

• Indian Lake Estates

• Lake Alfred

• Lake Hamilton

• Lake Wales

• Lakeland

• Lakeland Highlands

• Mulberry

• Polk City

• Winter Haven

Health Concerns from Nitrate

Nitrate contamination is concerning because at levels above the EPA limit, it can cause health issues, especially for vulnerable populations like infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.

High nitrate levels can cause a dangerous condition in infants called blue baby syndrome. Nitrate disrupts oxygen flow in the bloodstream, leading to bluish skin coloration, difficulty breathing, and even death if untreated.

For pregnant women, nitrate exposure is linked to neural tube defects and miscarriages. Those with compromised immune function are also at higher risk for issues like cancer if exposed to elevated nitrate over long periods.

Even at levels below the EPA limit, nitrate may increase cancer risk. Some studies have linked long-term exposure to gastric, ovarian, thyroid, and bladder cancers. More research is needed, but caution is warranted.

Water Treatment Solutions for Nitrate Removal

Thankfully, effective water treatment methods are available for removing nitrate from drinking water. The best solutions for homes and businesses in the Tampa Bay area include:

AquaLux Water Softener

Water softeners like the AquaLux use ion exchange technology to remove nitrate ions from water by trading them for safer sodium or potassium ions. Water softeners are an efficient option for eliminating nitrate while also protecting pipes and appliances.

AquaCarbonGuard Catalytic Carbon Filter

Catalytic carbon filtration is highly effective at filtering out nitrate. The AquaCarbonGuard uses a mix of granulated carbon and copper-zinc alloy to convert nitrate into harmless nitrogen gas. It removes up to 95% of nitrate.

AquaBlue Whole House Filter

Whole house filtration with the AquaBlue reduces nitrate along with other contaminants through a multi-stage filtration process including sediment pre-filtration, carbon block filtration, and scale inhibition.

AquaGuard UV System

Ultraviolet systems like AquaGuard inactivate bacteria and pathogens but do not remove nitrate. UV can be paired with other filtration methods like reverse osmosis for comprehensive water treatment.

HydroClear Ozone Generator

Ozone technology breaks down nitrate into oxygen, leaving clean, safe water. HydroClear generators inject ozone into the water supply to oxidize and eliminate contaminants.

AquaRevive Reverse Osmosis System

Reverse osmosis is highly effective for nitrate removal. RO units like AquaRevive force water through a semi-permeable membrane that filters out contaminants, including up to 99% of nitrate.

Protect Your Health - Test Your Water

Since nitrate contamination is common in the greater Tampa region, well owners and municipal water users alike should test their water regularly. Home water testing kits can screen for nitrate and other pollutants.

Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions offers free water testing and analysis. Their certified technicians will check your water on-site for nitrate and recommend the best purification solutions for your needs.

Now is the perfect time to take action - Aqua-Wise is offering exclusive discounts, financing options, and other promotions for new customers. Schedule your free water test today to start fixing nitrate issues and get healthier, cleaner water flowing from every tap. Your family's health is worth it!

Additional Resources:

EPA - Basic Information about Nitrate in Drinking Water

CDC - Nitrate and Nitrite in Drinking Water

Floridan Aquifer System - Understanding the Risks

Health Effects of Contaminants on Personal Care