Nitrate and nitrite
Cleveland Municipal Authority
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.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 0.346 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.286 ppm - 0.419 ppm |
2015 | 0.202 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.138 ppm - 0.306 ppm |
2016 | 0.122 ppm | 5 | 4 | ND - 0.178 ppm |
2017 | 0.211 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.101 ppm - 0.398 ppm |
2018 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
2019 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
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 |
---|---|---|
2014-03-27 | 4C27052-01 | 0.286 ppm |
2014-04-03 | 4D03065-01 | 0.320 ppm |
2014-09-11 | 4I11082-01 | 0.419 ppm |
2014-12-31 | 4L31018-01 | 0.360 ppm |
2015-03-26 | 5C26052-01 | 0.169 ppm |
2015-05-07 | 5E07054-01 | 0.138 ppm |
2015-08-13 | 5H13042-01 | 0.193 ppm |
2015-12-24 | 5L24021-01 | 0.306 ppm |
2016-03-31 | 6C31044-01 | ND |
2016-06-23 | 6F23068-01 | 0.112 ppm |
2016-07-07 | 6G07106-01 | 0.175 ppm |
2016-08-11 | 6H11092-01 | 0.178 ppm |
2016-10-06 | 6J06068-01 | 0.143 ppm |
2017-01-05 | 7A05073-01 | 0.398 ppm |
2017-04-06 | 7D06052-01 | 0.133 ppm |
2017-10-05 | 7J05076-01 | 0.101 ppm |
2018-01-04 | 8A04060-01 | ND |
2019-01-10 | BA10087-01 | ND |