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  • Will boiling my water help?

    No. Boiling water will NOT reduce nitrate levels. In fact, it will make the level of nitrate worse because some of the water will evaporate but the nitrate will not. This increases the concentration of nitrate in water.

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  • How can residents communicate with EPA about activities at the Norwood Landfill site?

    This EPA website ( www.epa.gov/norwood ) is dedicated to the investigations in the Norwood community. We encourage you to use the site and submit any questions you might have through the form that appears on the website. We also welcome any feedback you might have on the webpage.

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  • Where can residents get the most accurate and up-to-date information on the Norwood Landfill site?

    The www.epa.gov/norwood website is the site with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding EPA’s investigations in the Norwood community.

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  • Can I get access to the Emissions Inventory System if I am not a data provider to EPA?

    The Emission Inventory System (EIS) is a secured database for EPA and State/Local and Tribal Air Agencies only. The EIS is used to develop the National Emission Inventory (NEI). While you cannot have access to EIS, you can have access to the current and past NEIs through EPA’s NEI website…

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  • Is it safe to shower or bathe in water if it is over the nitrate MCL of 10 mg/L?

    Nitrate is only a concern for ingestion (eating and drinking). It is not absorbed through your skin. People who install filter systems for nitrate often install them just for their kitchen sink faucet, and they use that faucet for their cooking and drinking water.

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  • What should I do if my water has elevated nitrates and/or exceeds the MCL?

    If nitrate exceeds the MCL of 10 mg/L, you should find a safe alternative drinking water supply. The quickest thing to do is to begin using bottled water for drinking. Another option is to install a treatment that will remove nitrate from your water such as reverse osmosis or a…

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  • Why is nitrate contamination a concern?

    Nitrate is an acute contaminant, meaning that health effects can occur immediately (I.e. within hours or days) of short-term exposure. Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen. While most people recover quickly, this can be very dangerous for infants and some…

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  • How do I get access to the Emissions Inventory System?

    Access to the Emissions Inventory System (EIS) is available to state, local, tribal agencies, their representatives (such as contractors), to multijurisdictional organizations (MJOs), and to EPA staff. The EIS is not available to the public. Instructions for access to the EIS is available in the Emissions Inventory System (EIS) User’s…

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  • If I want to talk with EPA about sampling on my property or ask a specific question about my property, who should I contact?

    Please contact Katie Page, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, at 215-814-2409 or [email protected] to ask any questions related to your property.

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  • What are the possible health effects of nitrate exposure?

    Short-term: Excessive levels of nitrate in drinking water have caused serious illness and sometimes death. The serious illness in infants is due to the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by the body, which can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the child’s blood leading to blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia). This…

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  • What is nitrate?

    Nitrate (NO3) is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen naturally found in air, soil, water, and some food. Plants and animals require nitrates for their survival and growth, and the human body also produces this compound. In industry, nitrate is used as fertilizers for crops and lawns. Additionally, nitrates are…

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  • I use a carbon filter. Will this help?

    Activated carbon filters, such as those in a “Brita” water pitcher, DO NOT remove nitrates.

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  • How do I reset my password for the Emissions Inventory System?

    Instructions for resetting your password are available in the Emissions Inventory System (EIS) User’s Manual and How To’s section on “How Do I Update My Password?” Follow the instructions to reset your password.

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