Cyanide
Middletown Water Department
Cyanide is a toxic chemical that causes central nervous system and thyroid toxicity. Water contamination is generally the result of metal mining and chemical industry waste, runoff from agriculture and road salts used for melting ice.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 150 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 150 ppb for cyanide was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 200 ppb
The legal limit for cyanide, established in 1992, was based on a 1955 toxicity study conducted in laboratory animals. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-01 | IOCR 200489002 | ND |
| 2018-03-01 | IOC1 200489001 | ND |
| 2018-04-16 | IOC1 200492152 | ND |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492151 | ND |
| 2019-05-13 | IOCR 200531894 | ND |
| 2019-05-21 | IOC1 200533082 | ND |
| 2019-05-21 | IOCR 200533084 | ND |
| 2020-05-06 | IOC1 200574724 | ND |
| 2020-05-06 | IOCR 200574725 | ND |
| 2020-05-14 | IOC1 200575834 | ND |
| 2020-05-14 | IOCR 200575835 | ND |
| 2021-03-30 | IOC1 200611335 | ND |
| 2021-03-30 | IOCR 200611337 | ND |
| 2021-03-30 | IOC1 200611336 | ND |
| 2021-04-07 | IOCR 200612106 | ND |
| 2022-05-11 | E300182524 300182534 | ND |
| 2022-05-11 | E300182526 300182547 | ND |
| 2022-05-11 | I300182528 300182553 | ND |
| 2022-05-11 | I300182529 300182558 | ND |
| 2023-06-23 | E300370712 300370716 | ND |
| 2023-06-23 | E300370718 300370722 | ND |
| 2023-06-23 | I300370724 300370728 | ND |
| 2023-06-23 | I300370731 300370735 | ND |