Nitrate and nitrite
Dover Water Department
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.
43
Samples
0
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
34
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 | 0.717 ppm | 7 | 6 | ND - 2.10 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.783 ppm | 7 | 6 | ND - 2.00 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.579 ppm | 7 | 6 | ND - 1.50 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.725 ppm | 8 | 7 | ND - 1.30 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.553 ppm | 7 | 5 | ND - 1.50 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.400 ppm | 7 | 5 | ND - 1.50 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-02-18 | A400694001 | 0.320 ppm |
| 2014-07-10 | A404706001 | 0.710 ppm |
| 2014-07-14 | A404793002 | 0.980 ppm |
| 2014-07-14 | A404793001 | 0.200 ppm |
| 2014-07-23 | A405333001 | 2.10 ppm |
| 2014-07-23 | A405333002 | 0.710 ppm |
| 2014-07-23 | A405333003 | ND |
| 2015-07-21 | A505471004 | 1.70 ppm |
| 2015-07-21 | A505471003 | 0.200 ppm |
| 2015-07-21 | A505471002 | 0.720 ppm |
| 2015-07-21 | A505471001 | 0.200 ppm |
| 2015-07-23 | A505633001 | 2.00 ppm |
| 2015-07-23 | A505633002 | 0.660 ppm |
| 2015-07-23 | A505633003 | ND |
| 2016-07-06 | B605223001 | 0.190 ppm |
| 2016-07-06 | B605223002 | 0.660 ppm |
| 2016-07-07 | B605299001 | 0.180 ppm |
| 2016-07-07 | B605299003 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2016-07-07 | B605299004 | ND |
| 2016-07-13 | B605689001 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2016-07-25 | B606384001 | 0.220 ppm |
| 2017-05-12 | B702494001 | 0.780 ppm |
| 2017-06-01 | B703156001 | 0.770 ppm |
| 2017-07-19 | B705657001 | 0.150 ppm |
| 2017-07-19 | B705657002 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2017-07-19 | B705657003 | 0.980 ppm |
| 2017-07-20 | B705749001 | 0.720 ppm |
| 2017-07-20 | B705749003 | ND |
| 2017-07-20 | B705749005 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2018-01-22 | B800282001 | 0.200 ppm |
| 2018-01-22 | B800282002 | 1.20 ppm |
| 2018-05-15 | B802449001 | 0.560 ppm |
| 2018-07-24 | B805761001 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2018-07-24 | B805761002 | ND |
| 2018-08-15 | B806964001 | ND |
| 2018-09-05 | B807804001 | 0.410 ppm |
| 2019-04-11 | B901989001 | 0.0500 ppm |
| 2019-07-02 | B904902001 | 0.240 ppm |
| 2019-07-02 | B904902002 | 0.750 ppm |
| 2019-07-10 | B905242001 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2019-07-10 | B905242003 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2019-07-10 | B905242005 | ND |
| 2019-11-14 | B910098001 | ND |