Nitrate and nitrite

Antelope Valley - East Kern Water Agency

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	2.50 ppm	1	1	2.50 ppm
2015	0.970 ppm	4	3	ND - 2.60 ppm
2016	ND	3	0	ND
2017	0.367 ppm	3	2	ND - 0.600 ppm
2018	3.20 ppm	9	7	ND - 7.40 ppm
2019	0.725 ppm	4	1	ND - 2.90 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
2014-10-08	9588-015-0849	2.50 ppm
2015-05-13	9590-015-1040	2.60 ppm
2015-11-11	9590-001-1257	0.730 ppm
2015-11-11	9590-004-0705	ND
2015-11-11	9590-006-0844	0.550 ppm
2016-11-07	9590-001-1250	ND
2016-11-07	9590-006-0730	ND
2016-11-07	9590-004-0620	ND
2017-11-07	9590-001-1025	0.500 ppm
2017-11-07	9590-006-0715	0.600 ppm
2017-11-07	9590-004-1130	ND
2018-02-28	9590-019-0928	7.30 ppm
2018-05-09	9590-015-1032	3.80 ppm
2018-06-20	9590-024-0811	3.60 ppm
2018-06-20	9590-023-1023	2.80 ppm
2018-08-08	9590-019-1055	7.40 ppm
2018-08-08	9590-015-0638	3.10 ppm
2018-11-06	9590-001-1110	ND
2018-11-06	9590-006-0730	0.760 ppm
2018-11-06	9590-004-1105	ND
2019-03-13	9590-020-0903	2.90 ppm
2019-11-13	9590-006-0833	ND
2019-11-13	9590-001-0853	ND
2019-11-13	9590-004-1202	ND