Nitrate and nitrite
Adams County W/a #2-south
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.
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 | 0.0780 ppm | 5 | 1 | ND - 0.390 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.154 ppm | 5 | 3 | ND - 0.260 ppm |
| 2020 | 0.318 ppm | 5 | 3 | ND - 0.880 ppm |
| 2021 | 0.231 ppm | 5 | 2 | ND - 0.857 ppm |
| 2022 | 0.360 ppm | 5 | 3 | ND - 0.756 ppm |
| 2023 | 0.229 ppm | 5 | 2 | ND - 0.823 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 0.14 ppm
The EWG 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-22 | 180123-007NI | ND |
| 2018-01-22 | 180123-008NI | ND |
| 2018-01-22 | 180123-009NI | ND |
| 2018-01-22 | 180123-010NI | ND |
| 2018-01-22 | 180123-006NI | 0.390 ppm |
| 2019-01-22 | 190123-039NI | 0.260 ppm |
| 2019-01-22 | 190123-035NI | ND |
| 2019-01-22 | 190123-033NI | ND |
| 2019-01-22 | 190123-028NI | 0.250 ppm |
| 2019-01-22 | 190123-027NI | 0.260 ppm |
| 2020-01-13 | 200114-064NI | ND |
| 2020-01-13 | 200114-065NI | ND |
| 2020-01-13 | 200114-066NI | 0.370 ppm |
| 2020-01-13 | 200114-067NI | 0.880 ppm |
| 2020-01-13 | 200114-068NI | 0.340 ppm |
| 2021-01-19 | NI-210120-013 | 0.297 ppm |
| 2021-01-19 | NI-210120-017 | ND |
| 2021-01-19 | NI-210120-016 | 0.857 ppm |
| 2021-01-19 | NI-210120-015 | ND |
| 2021-01-19 | NI-210120-014 | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | NI-220105-054 | 0.578 ppm |
| 2022-01-04 | NI-220105-055 | 0.468 ppm |
| 2022-01-04 | NI-220105-056 | 0.756 ppm |
| 2022-01-04 | NI-220105-057 | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | NI-220105-058 | ND |
| 2023-01-09 | NI-230110-006 | ND |
| 2023-01-09 | NI-230110-007 | 0.322 ppm |
| 2023-01-09 | NI-230110-008 | 0.823 ppm |
| 2023-01-09 | NI-230110-009 | ND |
| 2023-01-09 | NI-230110-010 | ND |