Nitrate and nitrite

Western Greene

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	0.320 ppm	2	2	0.260 ppm - 0.380 ppm
2015	0.297 ppm	3	3	0.250 ppm - 0.370 ppm
2016	0.233 ppm	3	3	0.130 ppm - 0.360 ppm
2017	0.287 ppm	3	3	0.160 ppm - 0.390 ppm
2018	0.335 ppm	4	4	0.250 ppm - 0.400 ppm
2019	0.127 ppm	3	2	ND - 0.270 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
2014-05-06	141280041	0.260 ppm
2014-08-05	142190063	0.380 ppm
2015-05-27	Y151480043	0.250 ppm
2015-09-08	Y152530008	0.270 ppm
2015-09-21	Y152660001	0.370 ppm
2016-05-02	Y161260013	0.210 ppm
2016-07-27	Y162100010	0.360 ppm
2016-11-21	Y163280027	0.130 ppm
2017-05-09	Y171310003	0.310 ppm
2017-07-18	Y172010130	0.390 ppm
2017-10-17	Y172930003	0.160 ppm
2018-04-10	Y181020011	0.340 ppm
2018-08-28	Y182420036	0.350 ppm
2018-09-11	Y182560041	0.400 ppm
2018-10-16	Y182910025	0.250 ppm
2019-04-09	Y191010006	0.110 ppm
2019-08-07	Y192200012	ND
2019-10-09	Y192830008	0.270 ppm