Nitrate and nitrite
Espanola Water System
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.
41
Samples
6
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
41
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.610 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.300 ppm - 0.820 ppm |
| 2015 | 4.39 ppm | 6 | 6 | 0.280 ppm - 8.60 ppm |
| 2016 | 5.13 ppm | 7 | 7 | 0.280 ppm - 9.19 ppm |
| 2017 | 6.50 ppm | 9 | 9 | 0.260 ppm - 11.1 ppm |
| 2018 | 6.01 ppm | 7 | 7 | 0.270 ppm - 10.8 ppm |
| 2019 | 6.58 ppm | 9 | 9 | 0.300 ppm - 10.3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-09-10 | 2014028958 | 0.710 ppm |
| 2014-09-10 | 2014028959 | 0.300 ppm |
| 2014-09-10 | 2014028957 | 0.820 ppm |
| 2015-06-17 | 2015017774 | 8.35 ppm |
| 2015-08-12 | 2015023343 | 8.60 ppm |
| 2015-12-01 | 2015035439 | 0.760 ppm |
| 2015-12-01 | 2015035438 | 0.770 ppm |
| 2015-12-01 | 2015035437 | 0.280 ppm |
| 2015-12-22 | 2015037212 | 7.56 ppm |
| 2016-03-22 | 2016008551 | 0.750 ppm |
| 2016-03-22 | 2016008553 | 8.60 ppm |
| 2016-03-22 | 2016008552 | 0.280 ppm |
| 2016-03-22 | 2016008550 | 0.780 ppm |
| 2016-06-01 | 2016015477 | 8.88 ppm |
| 2016-08-30 | 2016025794 | 9.19 ppm |
| 2016-12-06 | 2016035231 | 7.41 ppm |
| 2017-02-28 | 2017006171 | 8.55 ppm |
| 2017-05-09 | 2017014270 | 8.14 ppm |
| 2017-05-09 | 2017014269 | 0.720 ppm |
| 2017-05-09 | 2017014271 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2017-07-25 | 2017021828 | 0.780 ppm |
| 2017-07-25 | 2017021829 | 11.1 ppm |
| 2017-10-17 | 2017030126 | 9.29 ppm |
| 2017-12-05 | 2017034614 | 10.5 ppm |
| 2017-12-19 | 2017035662 | 9.20 ppm |
| 2018-03-13 | 2018007517 | 0.820 ppm |
| 2018-03-13 | 2018007516 | 0.760 ppm |
| 2018-03-13 | 2018007515 | 0.270 ppm |
| 2018-03-13 | 2018007514 | 9.71 ppm |
| 2018-05-15 | 2018013977 | 9.89 ppm |
| 2018-08-21 | 2018023608 | 9.85 ppm |
| 2018-11-27 | 2018033104 | 10.8 ppm |
| 2019-02-06 | 2019003945 | 10.2 ppm |
| 2019-02-19 | 2019004404 | 10.3 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | 2019009827 | 0.810 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | 2019009828 | 0.300 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | 2019009829 | 9.55 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | 2019009826 | 0.740 ppm |
| 2019-09-04 | 2019024921 | 10.3 ppm |
| 2019-09-19 | 2019026677 | 9.45 ppm |
| 2019-11-19 | 2019034058 | 7.56 ppm |