Inorganics and Nitrates in Tap Water
Inorganic contaminants include minerals, salts, and nutrient compounds whose sources and health significance differ by analyte.
3 compound guides3 with a federal MCL4 treatment methods named
A family label, not a compound
These substances can occur naturally or enter water through agriculture, industry, treatment, and infrastructure. The family spans compounds with very different behavior.
Each analyte has its own measurement basis and reference value. Family-level summaries must not be read as a single safety threshold.
- Agricultural fertilizer
- Animal feedlots and manure
- Septic systems
- Natural mineral deposits
- Community water fluoridation
- Animal waste
Three inorganics with federal limits
Each has its own limit.
Four checks before you act
- STEP 1Identify the named analyte
A family name may contain compounds with different standards and health contexts.
- STEP 2Keep the measurement attached
Read the value with its unit, qualifier, sampling period, reporting limit and source.
- STEP 3Compare only with the stated reference
PurityMap does not turn unlike compound results into a family score or safety verdict.
- STEP 4Verify the treatment claim
The product certification must name the compound or reduction claim.
Four methods, each named by the compound guides
A technology name is only a starting point. Confirm the product’s certification names the compound before choosing equipment.
- Distillation
Named by 3 of 3 compound guides in this family.
NO₃F⁻NO₂ - Reverse osmosis
Named by 3 of 3 compound guides in this family.
NO₃F⁻NO₂ - Anion exchange
Named by 2 of 3 compound guides in this family.
NO₃NO₂ - Activated alumina / adsorptive media
Named by 1 of 3 compound guides in this family.
F⁻