G96-1279 Drinking Water: Nitrate-Nitrogen (Revised November 1998)

Authors

Paul J. Jasa, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
Sharon Skipton, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
David L. Varner, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
DeLynn Hay, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1996

Comments

© 1996, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. All rights reserved.

Abstract

This NebGuide discusses practices recommended to manage nitrate-nitrogen in a domestic water supply. Many Nebraskans have questions about the impact of nitrate in their drinking water. Water quality monitoring shows that nitrate is present in groundwater throughout much of Nebraska and that concentrations are increasing in some areas. Nitrogen is essential for all living things as it is an essential component of protein. Nitrogen exists in the environment in many forms and changes forms as it moves through the nitrogen cycle. However, excessive concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water can be hazardous to health, especially for infants and pregnant women.