Mercury (inorganic)
Middletown Water Department
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that also damages the kidneys and other internal organs. Mercury enters drinking water from industrial pollution, mining wastes and coal-fired power plants.
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 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 1.2 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 1.2 ppb for mercury (inorganic) 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 internal organs.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 2 ppb
The legal limit for inorganic mercury, established in 1991, was based on toxicity studies conducted in laboratory animals in the 1970s and 1980s. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-06-09 | IOC1 200397419 | ND |
| 2014-06-09 | IOCR 200397420 | ND |
| 2014-06-09 | IOCR 200397421 | ND |
| 2014-06-09 | IOC1 200397418 | ND |
| 2015-05-26 | IOC1 200417356 | ND |
| 2015-05-26 | IOC1 200417357 | ND |
| 2015-05-26 | IOCR 200417358 | ND |
| 2015-05-26 | IOCR 200417359 | ND |
| 2016-06-20 | IOC1 200442684 | ND |
| 2016-06-20 | IOCR 200442685 | ND |
| 2016-06-29 | IOCR 200443423 | ND |
| 2016-06-29 | IOC1 200443422 | ND |
| 2017-05-16 | IOCS 200467163 | ND |
| 2017-05-16 | IOCS 200467165 | ND |
| 2017-05-16 | RIOC 200467167 | ND |
| 2017-05-16 | RIOC 200467168 | ND |
| 2018-03-01 | IOC1 200489001 | ND |
| 2018-03-01 | IOCR 200489002 | 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 |