Nitrate
Wellesley Water Division (MWRA)
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.
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 | 1.03 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.560 ppm - 1.60 ppm |
| 2015 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2016 | 0.813 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.410 ppm - 1.10 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.663 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.350 ppm - 0.890 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.853 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.440 ppm - 1.20 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.900 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.500 ppm - 1.40 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014-03-12 | 0.920 ppm |
| 2014-03-12 | 1.60 ppm |
| 2014-03-12 | 0.560 ppm |
| 2016-03-16 | 0.930 ppm |
| 2016-03-16 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2016-03-16 | 0.410 ppm |
| 2017-02-28 | 0.750 ppm |
| 2017-02-28 | 0.890 ppm |
| 2017-02-28 | 0.350 ppm |
| 2018-03-01 | 0.920 ppm |
| 2018-03-02 | 1.20 ppm |
| 2018-03-02 | 0.440 ppm |
| 2019-02-26 | 0.800 ppm |
| 2019-02-26 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2019-02-26 | 0.500 ppm |