Nitrate In Drinking Water In Utah
What residents of Utah need to know about nitrate in drinking water — including how it enters water, which utilities have documented violations, and what steps to take.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Utah Division of Drinking Water (UDDW), CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is nitrate in drinking water a real concern in Utah?
Yes — Cache Valley in northern Utah has documented nitrate issues in groundwater from intensive dairy operations and is one of the most studied agricultural nitrate zones in the Intermountain West.
Is this mostly a public-water issue, a private-well issue, or both?
Primarily private well users in Cache Valley and other agricultural areas; some small public systems in agricultural valleys also draw from affected groundwater.
What is the main reason residents should care?
Cache Valley — Utah's most concentrated dairy farming area — has documented elevated nitrate in groundwater from dairy manure application on cropland. This is one of the best-studied agricultural nitrate issues in the Intermountain West.
Key Facts
| EPA Nitrate MCL | 10 mg/L as N |
| Cache Valley dairy | One of the most intensive dairy areas in the West — documented elevated groundwater nitrate |
| USU research | Utah State University has extensively studied Cache Valley nitrate — one of the best-documented Intermountain West cases |
| Private well risk | Cache Valley private well users should test frequently — elevated nitrate is documented |
| State oversight | Utah Division of Drinking Water (UDDW) |
Why This Matters in Utah
Cache Valley in northern Utah (Cache County) has a very high concentration of dairy farms — one of the most intensive per-acre dairy production areas in the western United States. Dairy manure applied to the valley's farmland has contributed to elevated nitrate in the Cache Valley groundwater basin, which supplies both private wells and some small public systems. Utah State University has studied Cache Valley groundwater nitrate extensively. The rest of Utah's agricultural areas — the Wasatch Front's farm belt and irrigated areas in the south — have lower but still present nitrate concerns. Utah Division of Drinking Water monitors public water systems for nitrate compliance statewide.
Historical Context
Cache Valley groundwater nitrate has been studied extensively by Utah State University researchers. The valley's combination of intensive dairy production, clay-bounded aquifer, and confined agricultural valley creates conditions where nitrate can accumulate significantly.
Critical — Infants Under 6 Months
Do not use tap water that exceeds 10 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen to prepare infant formula or feed infants under six months. Boiling will concentrate nitrate — do not boil. Use bottled water or a certified reverse osmosis system (NSF/ANSI 58) until the issue is resolved.
Utah Utilities With Nitrate Violation Records
The utilities listed below have at least one nitrate violation on record in EPA's SDWIS database. Violations may be open or resolved — see individual utility pages for current status and risk level.
West Jordan City Water System
Utah · 117,025 served
St George City Water System
Utah · 105,240 served
Sandy City Water System
Utah · 99,750 served
Jordan Valley Wcd
Utah · 99,335 served
Orem City Water System
Utah · 98,129 served
Lehi City
Utah · 93,446 served
South Jordan City
Utah · 89,704 served
Eagle Mountain City
Utah · 61,266 served
Herriman City Municipal Water Department
Utah · 60,000 served
Saratoga Springs City
Utah · 58,000 served
How Nitrate Gets Into Drinking Water
Agricultural fertilizer and manure runoff
Nitrogen-based fertilizers and animal waste applied to Utah cropland can leach into groundwater or run off into surface water supplies. This is the dominant nitrate pathway in most agricultural regions.
Septic system effluent
Failing or poorly sited septic systems release nitrogen-rich wastewater near drinking water wells. Rural areas with high well density and aging septic infrastructure face elevated risk.
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)
Large livestock facilities generate significant waste. Lagoon leaks and overapplication of manure to nearby fields can create localized nitrate hotspots in groundwater.
Natural geological deposits
In some regions, naturally occurring nitrogen compounds in soil and bedrock contribute background nitrate levels to groundwater independent of agricultural activity.
Who Should Pay Closest Attention
Private well users in Cache Valley should test for nitrate annually and take results seriously — elevated nitrate has been documented across the valley. Households with infants relying on Cache Valley well water should use a certified reverse osmosis system if nitrate exceeds 10 mg/L.
Households with infants under six months
Pregnant residents
Private well owners in agricultural areas
Households near livestock operations or CAFOs
Rural residents on shallow groundwater wells
Households with older or failing septic systems nearby
How to Check Your Situation in Utah
- 1
Identify your water utility. Use the ZIP lookup below or browse the Utah utility directory on this site.
- 2
Read your utility's page on this site to see its current risk level and any open nitrate violations.
- 3
Review your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — mailed annually or available on the utility's website. It must disclose any MCL exceedances.
- 4
If you are on a private well, arrange testing at a Utah Division of Drinking Water (UDDW)-certified lab. Your state health department maintains a list of certified labs. Annual testing is recommended in agricultural areas.
- 5
If you have an infant under six months, use bottled water or a certified RO system (NSF/ANSI 58) immediately as a precautionary measure — do not wait for test results if you are in a high-risk area.
- 6
If your utility issues a nitrate exceedance notice, follow their guidance and do not use tap water for infants until the issue is resolved.
Treatment Options
Carbon filters and boiling do not remove nitrate. Only the options below are effective.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58 — Reverse Osmosis
RO systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 reduce nitrate by 85–95% at the point of use. Under-sink installation required. The most practical residential option for nitrate concerns.
Distillation
Distillation units effectively remove nitrate along with most other dissolved contaminants. Suitable for drinking and cooking water — not whole-house use.
Anion Exchange
Ion exchange systems designed for nitrate removal exchange nitrate ions for chloride on a resin bed. Effective as a point-of-entry system; requires periodic regeneration and monitoring.
Carbon filters do NOT remove nitrate
Standard pitcher filters, faucet filters, and under-sink carbon units — including those certified NSF/ANSI 42 or 53 — do not remove nitrate. Do not use these for nitrate reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Nitrate — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with nitrate records
Utah State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Lead in Drinking Water
A separate but common concern
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 85–95% of nitrate
Well Water Guide
Private well testing and safety
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
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Utah Division of Drinking Water (UDDW) ↗