Xylenes (total)

Ruth Water District

NOTE: Ruth Water District purchases water from Ely Municipal Water Department which is required to test for xylenes (total). Sample information shown below was taken by Ely Municipal Water Department.

Xylenes are solvents used in industrial and consumer products, such as cleaning agents and paint thinners. Xylenes cause nervous system damage and may harm developing fetuses.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2014	ND	5	ND
2015	ND	1	ND
2016	ND	4	ND
2017	N/A	0	N/A
2018	ND	1	ND
2019	ND	4	ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 1,800 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1,800 ppb for xylenes was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 10,000 ppb

The legal limit for xylenes, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s. This limit may not fully protect against harm to the brain and nervous system due to xylene exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2014-02-18	1402384-002	ND
2014-02-18	1402384-001	ND
2014-04-15	1404372-001	ND
2014-04-15	1404372-002	ND
2014-12-16	1412517-001	ND
2015-03-11	1503401-003	ND
2016-09-08	6I13035-04V	ND
2016-09-08	6I13035-01	ND
2016-09-08	6I13035-02	ND
2016-09-08	6I13035-03	ND
2018-11-08	18110223-007	ND
2019-11-14	19110404-002	ND
2019-11-14	19110404-003	ND
2019-11-14	19110404-005	ND
2019-11-21	19110631-001	ND