Nitrate and nitrite
O'Fallon
Nitrate and nitrite enter water from fertilizer runoff, septic tanks and urban runoff. These contaminants can cause oxygen deprivation for infants and increase the risk of cancer. Nitrite is significantly more toxic than nitrate. Click here to read more about nitrate.
29
Samples
0
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
4
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2014 | 0.151 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0260 ppm - 0.430 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.132 ppm | 5 | 3 | ND - 0.560 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.113 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.0110 ppm - 0.320 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.0624 ppm | 5 | 4 | ND - 0.120 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.0584 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.0130 ppm - 0.110 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.0966 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.0220 ppm - 0.230 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.14 ppm
The health guideline of 0.14 parts per million, or ppm, for nitrate and nitrite is based on the equivalent health guideline for nitrate, as defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG. This guideline represents a one-in-one-million annual cancer risk level.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 10 ppm
ppm = parts per million
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-27 | AC17105 | 0.0260 ppm |
| 2014-01-27 | AC17106 | 0.430 ppm |
| 2014-01-27 | AC17107 | 0.0880 ppm |
| 2014-01-27 | AC17104 | 0.0590 ppm |
| 2015-09-02 | AC57888 | ND |
| 2015-09-02 | AC57889 | 0.560 ppm |
| 2015-09-02 | AC57886 | 0.0360 ppm |
| 2015-09-02 | AC57887 | ND |
| 2015-09-02 | AC57885 | 0.0650 ppm |
| 2016-08-12 | AC82099 | 0.0930 ppm |
| 2016-08-12 | AC82098 | 0.120 ppm |
| 2016-08-12 | AC82100 | 0.0110 ppm |
| 2016-08-12 | AC82097 | 0.0190 ppm |
| 2016-08-12 | AC82096 | 0.320 ppm |
| 2017-08-14 | AD03729 | 0.120 ppm |
| 2017-08-14 | AD03730 | 0.0230 ppm |
| 2017-08-14 | AD03728 | ND |
| 2017-08-14 | AD03731 | 0.0590 ppm |
| 2017-08-14 | AD03732 | 0.110 ppm |
| 2018-08-29 | AD30854 | 0.0360 ppm |
| 2018-08-29 | AD30855 | 0.110 ppm |
| 2018-08-29 | AD30856 | 0.0130 ppm |
| 2018-08-29 | AD30857 | 0.0370 ppm |
| 2018-08-29 | AD30858 | 0.0960 ppm |
| 2019-08-21 | AD53669 | 0.230 ppm |
| 2019-08-21 | AD53670 | 0.0220 ppm |
| 2019-08-21 | AD53671 | 0.0640 ppm |
| 2019-08-21 | AD53672 | 0.0470 ppm |
| 2019-08-21 | AD53673 | 0.120 ppm |