Nitrate enters waterways from lawn fertilizer run-off, leaking septic tanks, animal wastes, industrial waste waters, sanitary landfills and discharges from car exhausts. Nitrates in water can cause severe illness in infants and domestic animals.
Ammonia is the decay product of animal proteins and is sometimes found in wastewater.
Through the process of nitrification, ammonia in wastewater is oxidized to nitrite and then to nitrate by bacterial or chemical reactions. The above map indicates water quality monitoring sites. To view data at a specific site select it from the map with the mouse. 0.1 Preliminary Data - subject to revision Select on the parameter name to view more detailed information for that parameter in this month. Select on the site name to view data time series observed at that station.