Nitrates are commonly tested for, along with bacteria, in well water to determine the potability of the water. If Nitrates are found, they must be under 10 mg/l. Usually Nitrates are NOT found in wells deeper than about 50 ft. (in S. Lane County). The reason for this is that Nitrates are almost always leached into the well from the surface. Deep wells are not generally subject to surface water influence, so deep wells won't have Nitrates found in them. Areas known to have Nitrates around Lane County are Coburg, some areas of Creswell and any shallow wells in the valleys.

The Nitrates are leached into the water table by surface runoff. Most often it is from overuse (or use) of nitrogen based fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate. Sometimes, Nitrates will be found along with Total Coliform and E. Coli bacteria. When this occurs, the source is most often a nearby Septic Tank or Septic leachfield. Also, this may indicate a well that does not have a sanitary construction and is subject to intrusion of outside surface water which may carry with it contaminants (including Nitrates.)

Nitrates can be filtered from the well water by various methods, such as Reverse Osmosis and Ion Exchange

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