Nitrate and nitrite
Lexington & Joseph Harp Correctional Institution
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 | 0.185 ppm | 6 | 4 | ND - 0.480 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.201 ppm | 7 | 5 | ND - 0.510 ppm |
| 2020 | 0.180 ppm | 6 | 4 | ND - 0.500 ppm |
| 2021 | ND | 6 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | 0.118 ppm | 5 | 4 | ND - 0.250 ppm |
| 2023 | 0.102 ppm | 5 | 3 | ND - 0.210 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-05-30 | SDWA-1260010-00 | ND |
| 2018-05-30 | SDWA-1260012-00 | 0.120 ppm |
| 2018-05-30 | SDWA-1260014-00 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2018-05-30 | SDWA-1260016-00 | ND |
| 2018-05-30 | SDWA-1260018-00 | 0.480 ppm |
| 2018-06-15 | SDWA-1273421-00 | 0.250 ppm |
| 2019-02-06 | SDWA-1338919-00 | ND |
| 2019-03-06 | SDWA-1356216-00 | 0.250 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | SDWA-1356218-00 | 0.120 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | SDWA-1356220-00 | 0.270 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | SDWA-1356222-00 | ND |
| 2019-03-06 | SDWA-1356224-00 | 0.510 ppm |
| 2019-05-06 | SDWA-1372692-00 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2020-02-11 | SDWA-1460637-00 | 0.110 ppm |
| 2020-02-11 | SDWA-1460639-00 | 0.500 ppm |
| 2020-02-11 | SDWA-1460635-00 | 0.300 ppm |
| 2020-02-11 | SDWA-1460631-00 | 0.170 ppm |
| 2020-02-11 | SDWA-1460629-00 | ND |
| 2020-02-11 | SDWA-1460633-00 | ND |
| 2021-02-24 | SDWA-1556999-00 | ND |
| 2021-02-24 | SDWA-1557001-00 | ND |
| 2021-02-24 | SDWA-1557003-00 | ND |
| 2021-02-24 | SDWA-1557005-00 | ND |
| 2021-02-24 | SDWA-1557007-00 | ND |
| 2021-02-24 | SDWA-1557009-00 | ND |
| 2022-01-12 | SDWA-1666109-00 | ND |
| 2022-01-12 | SDWA-1666117-00 | 0.110 ppm |
| 2022-01-12 | SDWA-1666115-00 | 0.250 ppm |
| 2022-01-12 | SDWA-1666113-00 | 0.110 ppm |
| 2022-01-12 | SDWA-1666111-00 | 0.120 ppm |
| 2023-02-01 | SDWA-1766808-00 | ND |
| 2023-02-01 | SDWA-1766815-00 | 0.120 ppm |
| 2023-02-01 | SDWA-1766817-00 | 0.180 ppm |
| 2023-02-01 | SDWA-1766823-00 | 0.210 ppm |
| 2023-02-01 | SDWA-1766829-00 | ND |