Nitrate
Billerica Water Works
Nitrate, a fertilizer chemical, frequently contaminates drinking water due to agricultural and urban runoff, and discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Excessive nitrate in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer. Click here to read more about nitrate.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2014 | 0.300 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.300 ppm |
2015 | 0.388 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.340 ppm - 0.420 ppm |
2016 | 0.140 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.110 ppm - 0.180 ppm |
2017 | 0.428 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.380 ppm - 0.490 ppm |
2018 | 0.355 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.143 ppm - 0.780 ppm |
2019 | 0.310 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.190 ppm - 0.430 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.14 ppm
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.14 ppm for nitrate was defined by EWG . This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 10 ppm
The legal limit for nitrate, established in 1962, was developed to protect infants from acute methemoglobinemia, a life-threatening disorder of oxygen transport in the body. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus.
ppm = parts per million
All test results
Date | Result |
---|---|
2014-08-21 | 0.300 ppm |
2015-08-19 | 0.380 ppm |
2015-08-19 | 0.410 ppm |
2015-08-19 | 0.340 ppm |
2015-08-19 | 0.420 ppm |
2016-08-04 | 0.180 ppm |
2016-08-04 | 0.150 ppm |
2016-08-04 | 0.110 ppm |
2016-08-04 | 0.120 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 0.380 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 0.380 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 0.490 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 0.460 ppm |
2018-04-02 | 0.780 ppm |
2018-08-09 | 0.365 ppm |
2018-08-09 | 0.143 ppm |
2018-08-09 | 0.261 ppm |
2018-08-09 | 0.224 ppm |
2019-08-15 | 0.360 ppm |
2019-08-15 | 0.260 ppm |
2019-08-15 | 0.190 ppm |
2019-08-15 | 0.430 ppm |