Nitrate and nitrite
Clarkson, City of
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 | 0.495 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.166 ppm - 0.824 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.562 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.329 ppm - 0.794 ppm |
| 2020 | 0.729 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.689 ppm - 0.769 ppm |
| 2021 | 0.532 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.455 ppm - 0.608 ppm |
| 2022 | 0.479 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.293 ppm - 0.665 ppm |
| 2023 | 0.346 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0884 ppm - 0.603 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-02-13 | 531382 | 0.166 ppm |
| 2018-02-13 | 531381 | 0.824 ppm |
| 2019-02-11 | 591441 | 0.329 ppm |
| 2019-02-11 | 591440 | 0.794 ppm |
| 2020-02-18 | 649140 | 0.769 ppm |
| 2020-02-18 | 649141 | 0.689 ppm |
| 2021-02-24 | 715873 | 0.455 ppm |
| 2021-02-24 | 715872 | 0.608 ppm |
| 2022-03-02 | 780370 | 0.665 ppm |
| 2022-03-02 | 780371 | 0.293 ppm |
| 2023-02-27 | 843140 | 0.603 ppm |
| 2023-02-27 | 843141 | 0.0884 ppm |