Nitrate and nitrite

Johnson County SUD

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	0.0973 ppm	6	6	0.0415 ppm - 0.329 ppm
2015	0.145 ppm	15	14	ND - 0.811 ppm
2016	N/A	0	0	N/A
2017	N/A	0	0	N/A
2018	N/A	0	0	N/A
2019	0.0469 ppm	1	1	0.0469 ppm

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
2014-01-28	Q1402599004	0.0640 ppm
2014-01-28	Q1402599003	0.0635 ppm
2014-01-28	Q1402599002	0.329 ppm
2014-01-28	Q1402599001	0.0415 ppm
2014-01-28	Q1402599016	0.0430 ppm
2014-05-29	Q1418453001	0.0430 ppm
2015-02-03	Q1504045011	0.0630 ppm
2015-02-03	Q1504045010	0.0770 ppm
2015-02-03	Q1504045009	0.0510 ppm
2015-04-16	Q1514524015	0.0405 ppm
2015-04-16	Q1514524016	0.329 ppm
2015-04-16	Q1514524014	0.0380 ppm
2015-04-16	Q1514524012	ND
2015-04-16	Q1514524011	0.334 ppm
2015-04-16	Q1514524010	0.0515 ppm
2015-08-05	Q1530835006	0.811 ppm
2015-08-05	Q1530835005	0.123 ppm
2015-08-05	Q1530835004	0.0625 ppm
2015-08-05	Q1530835003	0.0710 ppm
2015-08-05	Q1530835002	0.0725 ppm
2015-08-05	Q1530835001	0.0515 ppm
2019-02-20	Q1907529037	0.0469 ppm