Does Water Filter Remove Nitrates and Should You Worry About It?
Do water filters remove nitrates? And should you worry about them in your drinking water?
This is a question that many people ask and want to know the answer to.
In short, yes, the right type of water filter can remove up to 95% of nitrates from your water. There are three types of water filters that effectively remove nitrates: Reverse Osmosis, Ion exchange Filters, and Water Distillers.
In this blog post, we will discuss what nitrates are, why they’re crucial for us to avoid drinking water, and whether or not a water filter can help you get rid of them!
So if you are interested in learning more about this, keep on reading!
What is Nitrates?
Nitrates are chemical compounds found in fertilizers and pesticides, so they can be naturally occurring from the agricultural industry or man-made.
This element usually gets into drinking water through fertilizers such as potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate, which are widely used to grow food crops or maintain lawns.
So if you live near an agriculture farm, it is important to be careful of nitrate contamination.
Nitrates can also get into your water from animal waste or septic tank leaks, so be extra vigilant about the quality and safety of drinking water.
The acceptable level of nitrates in water varies from country to country.
For example, in the US, the acceptable level of nitrates in water should not exceed 10 mg per liter, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The World Health Organization (WHO) believes a concentration up to 11.3 mg per L is allowable depending on other factors and conditions present, such as temperature and pH value.
Also read: Does Water Filter Remove Parasites?
What Happens if You Drink Water with High Nitrates?
Drinking too much water with high nitrates is a recipe for disaster.
Did you know, drinking too much water with high nitrates can affect how blood carries oxygen in your body?
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, exposure to nitrate-laden water could also cause adverse health effects like increased heart rate and headaches.
Some studies also suggest that if you drink water with high nitrates, your risk of cancer increases.
Water with high nitrates is also very dangerous for infants as it can cause Methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome).
This condition prevents enough oxygen from getting to different parts of an infant’s body and may lead to severe complications if not addressed immediately.
For more information on Nitrate and Methemoglobinemia, download this sheet from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Can Nitrates be Filtered Out of Water?
Yes, nitrates can be filtered out of your water.
Although it may seem difficult at first glance, getting rid of Nitrates from your drinking water isn’t impossible if you know what type of water filters to use to filter nitrates out of your water.
The right type of water filter can be the difference between nitrates and a healthy glass of tap water.
With the correct type of water filter, you can remove up to 95% nitrates in your tap water.
The following section will cover what kind of filters work best for nitrate removal.
So keep on reading…
What Type of Filter Removes Nitrates?
The following 3 types of filters are available to help remove nitrates from your water.
The Reverse Osmosis Filter, Ion Exchange Filter, and Water Distillers can all be used for this purpose.
Reverse Osmosis Filter
The Reverse Osmosis Filter is a helpful tool for removing nitrates from water sources.
Reverse osmosis filters work by pushing water to go through a tiny membrane.
These membranes have tiny holes where the water can pass through, leaving behind contaminants like nitrates.
Studies show that reverse osmosis systems can remove anywhere between 83-92% of nitrate from your drinking water.
But keep in mind it doesn’t get rid of 100% nitrate in your water.
To be on the safe side and avoid exceeding EPA standards for acceptable levels of ammonia or nitrate content, you should take additional measures such as testing the amount of nitrate in your water.
Ion Exchange Filters
Ion Exchange Filters are a great way to remove nitrates from water.
The ion exchange process is one of the most effective ways of removing nitrates.
It can result in up to 99% less nitrate-filled drinking water!
Ion Exchange filters work by replacing all those nasty (and harmful) nitrogen ions with chloride ones that eliminate any unpleasant taste or smell.
When the water goes through the ion exchange filter tank, nitrates are first removed from the water by a resin bed.
A resin is used to bind the nitrate ions and then replace them with chloride ions which is safe for you and me.
The result is that water treated by Ion Exchange filters can be up to 99% nitrate-free!
Water Distillers
A water distiller is another excellent option for nitrates removal.
The water distiller works by boiling water and then collecting the steam that evaporates off to create clean drinking water.
When the water evaporates off of the water heater, it creates condensation.
This process separates out nitrate molecules from other compounds in your drinking water.
It allows them to run off into a drain or down your sink with all organic material.
This process removes nitrates, chlorides, sulfate ions, and many other impurities in tap water that you have probably never heard of before!
Now, which type of water filter is the best for you?
Many water filter types have their pros and cons.
To find the right one for your home, I recommend researching more about the company that makes the water filter.
You can also turn to a professional in your area like your state certification officer, for instance, to get further inspection and help.
I use a Reverse Osmosis filter at home as this filter is the best type of filtration available for home use.
Furthermore, a reverse osmosis system also filters out contaminants such as lead, chlorine, and fluoride in the tap water.
Also read: Does Water Filter Remove Bacteria?
How Do You Lower Nitrates in Water?
A water filter is one of the best ways to soften your tap water and reduce nitrates.
There are three water filters to choose from if you want the nitrate level in your drinking water lowered.
Ion exchange, distillation, and reverse osmosis filters will all work to lower the number of nitrates in your drinking water.
These systems can filter up to 95% of harmful nitrates that may be present in your water.
So it is essential for people who have a high concentration of these chemicals in their tap or well-water supply.
However, it is best to know your current nitrate level so that you know how much more work needs to be done.
If the levels are too high and not meeting EPA standards, make sure that your water sources have been inspected by a licensed contractor, so you know what to do next.
Does Bottled Water Have Nitrates?
Yes. Bottled water does contain nitrates.
However, you don’t have to worry.
The amount of Nitrates present in bottled water has been regulated by FDA and is based on EPA standards for tap water.
This means that you don’t have to worry about buying or drinking from a bottle as we still can’t exceed the 10mg/L allowable level.
In other words:
Bottled water is safe for you and your family.
Can You Bathe in Water with High Nitrates?
For the most part, yes! You can safely bathe in water with High Nitrates.
Nitrates can’t be absorbed by your skin and won’t get into your body.
So bathing or showering is safe as long as it doesn’t enter through a wound on the mouth or nose (which would lead to severe irritation).
Still, drinking and swallowing aren’t advised either because of how toxic they are for humans.
Conclusion: So, Does Water Filter Remove Nitrates?
To conclude this post, yes, a water filter does remove nitrates from your water.
Yes, three types of water filters can remove nitrates from your tap water- an ion exchanger, a distiller, and reverse osmosis.
Which type is best for you depends on where you live and what kind of contaminants they filter out.
Final Words
I hope you found this article interesting and valuable.
Which type of water filter do you think will work best for you?
Let me know below if there’s anything else I can help answer!
