Nitrate
Galveston County Water Control and Improvement District 8
Nitrate, a fertilizer chemical, frequently contaminates drinking water due to agricultural and urban runoff, and discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Excessive nitrate in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer. Click here to read more about nitrate.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 0.470 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0900 ppm - 0.850 ppm |
2015 | 0.955 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.610 ppm - 1.30 ppm |
2016 | 0.655 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.520 ppm - 0.790 ppm |
2017 | 0.710 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.700 ppm - 0.720 ppm |
2018 | 0.815 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.800 ppm - 0.830 ppm |
2019 | 0.565 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.550 ppm - 0.580 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.14 ppm
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.14 ppm for nitrate was defined by EWG . This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 10 ppm
The legal limit for nitrate, established in 1962, was developed to protect infants from acute methemoglobinemia, a life-threatening disorder of oxygen transport in the body. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus.
ppm = parts per million
All test results
Date | Lab ID | Result |
---|---|---|
2014-02-27 | AC44912 | 0.850 ppm |
2014-05-28 | AC55273 | 0.0900 ppm |
2015-01-27 | AC77784 | 1.30 ppm |
2015-06-02 | AC94066 | 0.610 ppm |
2016-03-23 | AD29995 | 0.790 ppm |
2016-05-19 | AD37401 | 0.520 ppm |
2017-02-07 | AD69049 | 0.720 ppm |
2017-02-07 | AD69011 | 0.700 ppm |
2018-03-19 | AE18805 | 0.830 ppm |
2018-03-19 | AE18778 | 0.800 ppm |
2019-02-04 | AE52609 | 0.580 ppm |
2019-02-04 | AE52608 | 0.550 ppm |