Cyanide
New Britain 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 | 6 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 2 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492150 | ND |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492148 | ND |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492149 | ND |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492147 | ND |
| 2018-06-20 | IOC1 200497534 | ND |
| 2018-06-20 | IOCR 200497534 | ND |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529606B | ND |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529609E | ND |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529607C | ND |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529608D | ND |
| 2019-06-12 | IOC1 200535995 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573267 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573266 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573268 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573265 | ND |
| 2020-06-11 | IOC1 200578892 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613888 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613891 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613889 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613890 | ND |
| 2021-06-16 | IOC1 200621205 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172305 300172310 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172334 300172339 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172312 300172317 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172319 300172329 | ND |
| 2022-06-28 | E300204043 300204048 | ND |
| 2023-04-17 | E300334310 300334314 | ND |
| 2023-06-13 | E300364610 300364614 | ND |