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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Nitrate and nitrite

Abby Water LLC

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.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

12

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20142.77 ppm43ND - 5.70 ppm
2015N/A00N/A
20160.170 ppm110.170 ppm
20170.180 ppm110.180 ppm
20180.285 ppm220.270 ppm - 0.300 ppm
20190.192 ppm550.150 ppm - 0.240 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
2014-03-11BG18022NOX5.70 ppm
2014-03-24140368-NNOXND
2014-06-09BG54760NOX0.300 ppm
2014-12-15BH53605NOX5.07 ppm
2016-01-21BK56251NOX0.170 ppm
2017-02-23BX74933NOX0.180 ppm
2018-09-05CB255670.270 ppm
2018-12-12CC132370.300 ppm
2019-03-14CC680890.240 ppm
2019-05-22CD196770.240 ppm
2019-08-21CD901620.170 ppm
2019-10-18CE439750.150 ppm
2019-12-16CE890270.160 ppm