Nitrates in Well Water: What a High Test Means

Nitrates in well water have no taste, smell or color. You only find them with a lab test. The safe drinking limit is 10 mg/L, and a result above that matters most for babies under six months. Switch to bottled water for drinking and formula right away, and don't boil it. Then find out what's feeding nitrate into your well.

What are nitrates, and where do they come from?

Nitrate is a form of nitrogen that dissolves easily in water. Some occurs naturally in soil, but most high readings come from something people put on or near the ground. Clemson's well water fact sheet names fertilizer, septic waste and livestock runoff as the usual sources.

Think about what's around your well. Is there a garden or a fertilized lawn nearby? Does the septic tank sit uphill from it? Did you buy land that used to be a farm field? We hear that last one a lot from people buying land. A pasture or crop field can mean years of fertilizer and manure on that ground.

Why are nitrates in well water dangerous?

Infants are the ones who face the real risk. Clemson's fact sheet says babies under six months who drink water above 10 mg/L could become seriously ill. The condition is called blue-baby syndrome. Clemson lists shortness of breath as a warning sign.

That 10 mg/L limit was set with infants in mind. Anyone mixing formula with well water needs a lab result first. If your report reads in ppm instead, that's the same number. The University of Minnesota Extension says ppm and mg/L mean the same thing on a nitrate report.

Can you boil nitrates out of water?

No, and boiling actually makes it worse. The water evaporates and the nitrate stays behind, so what's left is stronger. Clemson's fact sheet puts it plainly: boiling will increase levels. It's the mistake Austin Drilling sees most often. Use bottled water until the problem is fixed.

How do nitrates get into a well?

A well should pull water from deep below the surface. Nitrate starts up top, in the soil. So a high reading often means surface water is finding a shortcut down.

When Austin Drilling finds nitrates in well water, we check the well before we talk about a filter. A cracked cap, a casing that ends at ground level, or a failed seal can let runoff in. A shallow or old dug well sits closer to that runoff to begin with. Clemson also advises keeping pastures and stormwater flowing downhill, away from the well. Our page on an old well on your property covers what to look for.

How do you get rid of nitrates in well water?

The first step is fixing the source. Repair the cap or casing, redirect runoff, or move what's uphill if you can. Sometimes that alone brings the number down, so retest after the repair to know for sure.

If levels stay high, treatment comes next. Clemson lists reverse osmosis, ion exchange and distillation as the options that remove nitrate. Our water treatment team can talk through what fits your house. In some cases, a new, properly sealed well is the long-term answer, and our well drilling page explains that process.

How often should you test for nitrates?

Test for nitrate once a year, at minimum. Clemson lists nitrate as a yearly test alongside coliform bacteria. Test sooner if a baby is coming, if you just bought the property, or after a flood. In South Carolina, you can get a kit from a DES regional office or your local health department. Our page on well water testing explains which tests need a certified lab.

If a test shows nitrates in well water, call Austin Drilling. We've worked on Midlands and Upstate wells for 66 years. Reach us in West Columbia at (803) 926-5402 or Newberry at (803) 926-7080, Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm.

FAQ

Does a whole-house filter remove nitrates in well water?

Only certain types of systems remove it. Clemson lists ion exchange, reverse osmosis and distillation, so ask which method a system uses before you buy.

Can I shower in water with high nitrates?

Nitrate is a concern when you drink it, so the main fix is safe drinking and cooking water. Ask your doctor if someone in your house has a health concern.

Will a home test strip tell me my nitrate level?

A strip gives a rough idea at best. A certified lab result is the one to trust before mixing formula.

Is my well safe if the water tastes fine?

Good taste doesn't prove anything here. Nitrate has no taste, which is exactly why a yearly lab test matters.