Nitrate and nitrite
Portland Water Bureau
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.
12
Samples
0
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
4
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.120 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.240 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.123 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0250 ppm - 0.220 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.0800 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.160 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.0820 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0240 ppm - 0.140 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.238 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0260 ppm - 0.450 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.0260 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0180 ppm - 0.0340 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-04-08 | BB38036-I | ND |
| 2014-07-08 | BB42035-I | 0.240 ppm |
| 2015-03-31 | BB49816-I | 0.0250 ppm |
| 2015-06-17 | BB52444-I | 0.220 ppm |
| 2016-04-05 | BB1496-I | ND |
| 2016-07-27 | BB71221-I | 0.160 ppm |
| 2017-02-22 | BB84114-I | 0.140 ppm |
| 2017-04-04 | BB87017-I | 0.0240 ppm |
| 2018-03-15 | BC03118-I | 0.450 ppm |
| 2018-04-03 | BC04117-I | 0.0260 ppm |
| 2019-04-02 | BC21049-I | 0.0180 ppm |
| 2019-07-15 | BC25289-I | 0.0340 ppm |