Nitrates are a sneaky sort of villain—colorless, odorless, and tasteless. They typically hitch a ride into groundwater from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, or even aging lawn chemicals.
Health-wise, they’re a buzzkill. For adults, it’s mostly about long-term risks, but for infants under six months, high nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia—also known as “blue baby syndrome.” That’s a heavy burden for what should be a simple glass of water.
