Nitrate is a chemical compound and the most common form of nitrogen found in water. Other forms of nitrogen include nitrite and ammonia. ... The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for nitrate in drinking water has been established at 45 mg/L. This is equivalent to 10 mg/L measured as nitrate-nitrogen.

Is nitrite found in water?

itrate and nitrite are two chemicals that are sometimes found in private well water. Infants who drink water containing elevated levels of nitrate can develop serious health problems.

Is nitrite in water bad for you?

High levels of nitrites are toxic to humans and animals, especially infants. It can enter the body as nitrate, a nutrient which is essential to plant growth, and be converted into nitrite, which disrupts the oxygen delivering ability of hemoglobin in the bloodstream.