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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Nitrate and nitrite

Dequeen Water Work

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.

 

7

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

4

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.280 ppm110.280 ppm
2015ND10ND
20160.1000 ppm110.1000 ppm
20170.170 ppm110.170 ppm
20180.220 ppm220.160 ppm - 0.280 ppm
2019ND10ND

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
2014-08-181423300250.280 ppm
2015-08-19Y152320025ND
2016-08-02Y1621600030.1000 ppm
2017-08-02Y1721500130.170 ppm
2018-08-21Y1823500040.280 ppm
2018-09-04Y1825000010.160 ppm
2019-08-28Y192410017ND