Nitrate and nitrite
Rockwood People's Utilities Department
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 | 0.238 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0260 ppm - 0.450 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.0250 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0200 ppm - 0.0300 ppm |
| 2020 | 0.0435 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.0870 ppm |
| 2021 | 0.157 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0140 ppm - 0.300 ppm |
| 2022 | 0.01000 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.01000 ppm |
| 2023 | 0.0490 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0210 ppm - 0.0770 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-06-25 | 1945485-I | 0.0300 ppm |
| 2019-06-25 | 1945493 | 0.0200 ppm |
| 2022-02-09 | 2209309 | 0.01000 ppm |