What is the quality standard for nitrogen levels in drinking water?

What is the quality standard for nitrogen levels in drinking water?

• A. < 2 mg/L
• B. < 50 mg/L
• C. < 20 mg/L
• D. < 100 mg/L

Answer: (C)

Nitrogen compounds in drinking water can affect taste, odor, and safety, and they come from sources like fertilizer runoff, sewage, and natural decay. Water quality guidelines focus on keeping these nitrogen levels low to prevent problems in treatment and distribution. A practical target used in many water systems is to keep total nitrogen in finished drinking water under 20 mg/L as nitrogen. This makes it the best match among the choices, and it aligns with the idea of maintaining low nitrogen levels to protect water quality. The other options are either far above typical nitrogen targets or not aligned with common nitrogen guidelines in drinking water.

Nitrogen compounds in drinking water can affect taste, odor, and safety, and they come from sources like fertilizer runoff, sewage, and natural decay. Water quality guidelines focus on keeping these nitrogen levels low to prevent problems in treatment and distribution.

A practical target used in many water systems is to keep total nitrogen in finished drinking water under 20 mg/L as nitrogen. This makes it the best match among the choices, and it aligns with the idea of maintaining low nitrogen levels to protect water quality. The other options are either far above typical nitrogen targets or not aligned with common nitrogen guidelines in drinking water.