Barium

Dover Water Department

Barium is a mineral present in rocks, soil and water. High concentrations of barium in drinking water increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

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	N/A	0	0	N/A
2015	N/A	0	0	N/A
2016	N/A	0	0	N/A
2017	3.89 ppb	15	1	ND - 58.3 ppb
2018	N/A	0	0	N/A
2019	4.04 ppb	15	1	ND - 60.6 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 700 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 700 ppb for barium was defined by EWG as benchmark that protects against harm to the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 2,000 ppb

The legal limit for barium, established in 1991, was based on a 10-week study of barium exposure in 11 adult male volunteers. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2017-12-07	S779414	58.3 ppb
2017-12-12	S779400	ND
2017-12-12	S779413	ND
2017-12-12	S779412	ND
2017-12-12	S779411	ND
2017-12-12	S779410	ND
2017-12-12	S779409	ND
2017-12-12	S779408	ND
2017-12-12	S779407	ND
2017-12-12	S779406	ND
2017-12-12	S779405	ND
2017-12-12	S779404	ND
2017-12-12	S779403	ND
2017-12-12	S779402	ND
2017-12-12	S779401	ND
2019-07-29	S856544	ND
2019-07-30	S856530	ND
2019-07-30	S856543	60.6 ppb
2019-07-30	S856542	ND
2019-07-30	S856541	ND
2019-07-30	S856540	ND
2019-07-30	S856539	ND
2019-07-30	S856538	ND
2019-07-30	S856537	ND
2019-07-30	S856536	ND
2019-07-30	S856535	ND
2019-07-30	S856534	ND
2019-07-30	S856533	ND
2019-07-30	S856532	ND
2019-07-30	S856531	ND