nitrate, definition of

A compound containing nitrogen that can exist in the atmosphere or as a dissolved gas in water and which can have harmful effects on humans and animals. Nitrates in water can cause severe illness in infants and domestic animals. A plant nutrient and inorganic fertilizer, nitrate is found in septic systems, animal feed lots, agricultural fertilizers, manure, industrial waste waters, sanitary landfills, and garbage dumps.

• Iowa capital suing neighboring cities over fertilizer pollution in water supply
  Iowa’s capital city is testing the waters on a new way to keep fertilizer runoff from neighboring farms out of the two rivers that supply the city with drinking water...
• Iowa capital set to sue neighboring cities over fertilizer pollution in water supply
  Iowa’s capital city is testing the waters on a new way to keep fertilizer runoff from neighboring farms out of the two rivers that supply the city with drinking water...