Nitrate and nitrite

Town of Ferriday Water System

Nitrate and nitrite enter water from fertilizer runoff, septic tanks and urban runoff. These contaminants can cause oxygen deprivation for infants and increase the risk of cancer. Nitrite is significantly more toxic than nitrate. Click here to read more about nitrate.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Detections	Range of results
2014	1.000 ppm	2	2	1.000 ppm
2015	1.70 ppm	2	2	1.70 ppm
2016	ND	8	0	ND
2017	0.240 ppm	2	2	0.240 ppm
2018	0.260 ppm	2	2	0.260 ppm
2019	ND	8	0	ND

ppm = parts per million

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.14 ppm

The health guideline of 0.14 parts per million, or ppm, for nitrate and nitrite is based on the equivalent health guideline for nitrate, as defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG. This guideline represents a one-in-one-million annual cancer risk level.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 10 ppm

ppm = parts per million

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2014-03-17	AD89787	1.000 ppm
2014-03-17	AD89787	1.000 ppm
2015-07-13	35197766003	1.70 ppm
2015-07-13	35197766003	1.70 ppm
2016-10-13	35270878003	ND
2016-10-13	35270878001	ND
2016-10-13	35270878002	ND
2016-10-13	35270878003	ND
2016-10-13	35270878004	ND
2016-10-13	35270878002	ND
2016-10-13	35270878001	ND
2016-10-13	35270878004	ND
2017-10-23	35344559001	0.240 ppm
2017-10-23	35344559001	0.240 ppm
2018-10-18	35425429001	0.260 ppm
2018-10-18	35425429001	0.260 ppm
2019-08-15	B1903520-001	ND
2019-08-15	B1903520-004	ND
2019-08-15	B1903520-003	ND
2019-08-15	B1903520-002	ND
2019-08-15	B1903520-001	ND
2019-08-15	B1903520-004	ND
2019-08-15	B1903520-003	ND
2019-08-15	B1903520-002	ND