Nitrite
Bismarck Community Water District
Nitrite, closely related to the fertilizer chemical nitrate, comes from urban runoff and from fertilizer applied to agricultural lands to pollute drinking water. Nitrite is significantly more toxic than nitrate. Excessive nitrite in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer.
18
Samples
7
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
0
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.1000 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.1000 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.128 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.128 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.650 ppm | 4 | 2 | ND - 1.38 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.589 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.126 ppm - 1.14 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.921 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.675 ppm - 1.10 ppm |
| 2019 | 1.02 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.820 ppm - 1.14 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 1 ppm
The legal limit for nitrite, established in 1991, was based on the rate of conversion of ingested nitrate into nitrite in adults. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to nitrite exposure.
ppm = parts per million
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-04-23 | SD40824-01_01 | 0.1000 ppm |
| 2015-05-26 | SE51052-01_01 | 0.128 ppm |
| 2016-05-09 | 16E0308-01_01 | 1.38 ppm |
| 2016-05-17 | 16E0713-01_01 | 1.22 ppm |
| 2016-07-21 | 16G1046-01_01 | ND |
| 2016-10-06 | 16J0306-01_01 | ND |
| 2017-01-12 | 17A0405-01_01 | 0.141 ppm |
| 2017-05-25 | 17E0969-01_01 | 1.14 ppm |
| 2017-08-08 | 17H0483-01_01 | 0.949 ppm |
| 2017-11-07 | 17K0197-01_01 | 0.126 ppm |
| 2018-02-08 | 18B0240-01_01 | 0.675 ppm |
| 2018-05-21 | 18E0879-01 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2018-08-14 | 18H0751-01_01 | 0.928 ppm |
| 2018-12-03 | 18L0025-01_01 | 0.981 ppm |
| 2019-02-05 | 19B0084-01 | 0.820 ppm |
| 2019-05-01 | 19E0070-01_01 | 1.08 ppm |
| 2019-08-20 | 19H0838-01 | 1.14 ppm |
| 2019-12-02 | 19L0023-01 | 1.03 ppm |