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  • Will boiling my water help?

    No. Boiling water will NOT reduce nitrate levels. In fact, it will make the level of nitrate worse because some of the water will evaporate but the nitrate will not. This increases the concentration of nitrate in water.

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  • Tier2 Submit software and confidential chemical location information

    When using EPA’s Tier2 Submit software to comply with the annual Hazardous Chemical Inventory reporting requirement under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) §312, how can a person withhold confidential chemical location information from disclosure to the public? In order to fulfill the proper reporting under EPCRA, a…

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  • Do states require extra Tier II information?

    Do states require additional information on the Tier II report? How can I find out about the state data requirements? Some states do want additional Tier II information; contact your state Tier II administrator to learn specific details. Tier2 Submit includes fields for the additional information requested or required by…

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  • No Street Address Availability Tier II Reporting

    Pursuant to 40 CFR 370.42(d) , Tier II chemical inventory information must include the complete name and address of the location of the facility (including the full street address or state road, city, county, State and zip code), latitude and longitude. If a facility does not have a street address…

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  • What should I do if my water has elevated nitrates and/or exceeds the MCL?

    If nitrate exceeds the MCL of 10 mg/L, you should find a safe alternative drinking water supply. The quickest thing to do is to begin using bottled water for drinking. Another option is to install a treatment that will remove nitrate from your water such as reverse osmosis or a…

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  • Is it safe to shower or bathe in water if it is over the nitrate MCL of 10 mg/L?

    Nitrate is only a concern for ingestion (eating and drinking). It is not absorbed through your skin. People who install filter systems for nitrate often install them just for their kitchen sink faucet, and they use that faucet for their cooking and drinking water.

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  • What is EPA doing?

    EPA is working with its governmental partners and other stakeholders to investigate and address the issue. Most recently, EPA issued a letter to the state of Minnesota requesting a plan of action to address nitrate contamination in drinking water.

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  • Why is nitrate contamination a concern?

    Nitrate is an acute contaminant, meaning that health effects can occur immediately (I.e. within hours or days) of short-term exposure. Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen. While most people recover quickly, this can be very dangerous for infants and some…

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  • How do I have my drinking water tested in the future?

    Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends you use an accredited laboratory to test your water. Contact an accredited laboratory to get sample containers and instructions or ask your county environmental or public health services if they provide well testing services. Accredited Labs in Minnesota Accepting Drinking Water Samples from Private…

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  • Entering Alternative Storage Types and Pressure and Temperature Conditions on Tier II Form

    EPA provides a list of storage types and conditions for pressure and temperature in the instructions for the paper Tier II form and as dropdown menus in Tier2 Submit. Are facilities required to use the storage types and conditions that EPA provides, or can facilities provide different values? Facilities are…

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  • Attaching Site Plan Using Tier2 Submit

    Tier2 Submit does allow a user to attach and submit a site plan with the Tier II inventory information. However, before using Tier2 Submit to submit a site plan, the facility should check with the relevant State or Tribal Emergency Response Commission ( SERC or TERC ) and/or their state…

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  • Range Code or Specific Weight for Maximum Amount and Average Daily Amount on Tier II Form

    When submitting Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Section 312 Tier II reports, does the owner or operator of the facility need to enter a specific weight in pounds for the maximum amount and the average daily amount of a certain hazardous chemical present at the facility, or should…

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  • What is nitrate?

    Nitrate (NO3) is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen naturally found in air, soil, water, and some food. Plants and animals require nitrates for their survival and growth, and the human body also produces this compound. In industry, nitrate is used as fertilizers for crops and lawns. Additionally, nitrates are…

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  • What are the possible health effects of nitrate exposure?

    Short-term: Excessive levels of nitrate in drinking water have caused serious illness and sometimes death. The serious illness in infants is due to the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by the body, which can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the child’s blood leading to blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia). This…

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  • How are people potentially exposed to nitrate?

    For many situations, the potential for children’s exposure from drinking water is medium to low. The potential can be higher when private wells become contaminated with nitrates from feed lot and agricultural runoff, and contaminated groundwater. Some geographic areas are at higher risk of drinking water contamination of private wells…

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