Nitrate and nitrite
Citizens Water - Indianapolis
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 | 0.899 ppm | 29 | 21 | ND - 2.90 ppm |
2015 | 0.898 ppm | 15 | 10 | ND - 3.00 ppm |
2016 | 1.01 ppm | 16 | 12 | ND - 3.37 ppm |
2017 | 0.834 ppm | 17 | 12 | ND - 2.69 ppm |
2018 | 0.758 ppm | 10 | 8 | ND - 2.34 ppm |
2019 | 0.822 ppm | 9 | 6 | ND - 2.42 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-02-12 | 670869N | ND |
2014-02-12 | 670874N | ND |
2014-02-12 | 670872N | ND |
2014-02-12 | 670859N | 1.30 ppm |
2014-02-12 | 670857N | 2.20 ppm |
2014-02-12 | 670855N | 1.60 ppm |
2014-02-12 | 670853N | 2.90 ppm |
2014-05-14 | 683186N | 1.80 ppm |
2014-05-14 | 683180N | 2.20 ppm |
2014-05-14 | 683182N | 1.000 ppm |
2014-05-14 | 683184N | 0.800 ppm |
2014-05-14 | 683190N | ND |
2014-05-14 | 683192N | 0.570 ppm |
2014-05-14 | 683194N | 0.200 ppm |
2014-08-13 | 696774-08N | ND |
2014-08-13 | 696772-07N | 0.640 ppm |
2014-08-13 | 696770-06N | 0.610 ppm |
2014-08-13 | 696768-05N | ND |
2014-08-13 | 696766-04N | 1.10 ppm |
2014-08-13 | 696764-03N | 0.770 ppm |
2014-08-13 | 696762-02N | 0.290 ppm |
2014-08-13 | 696760-01N | 2.10 ppm |
2014-11-12 | 710030N | ND |
2014-11-12 | 710028N | 1.10 ppm |
2014-11-12 | 710026N | ND |
2014-11-12 | 710022N | 1.50 ppm |
2014-11-12 | 710020N | 0.650 ppm |
2014-11-12 | 710018N | 0.140 ppm |
2014-11-12 | 710016N | 2.60 ppm |
2015-02-11 | 722648-05N | ND |
2015-02-11 | 722640-01N | 2.50 ppm |
2015-02-11 | 722642-02N | 1.80 ppm |
2015-02-11 | 722644-04N | 1.70 ppm |
2015-02-11 | 722650-06N | 0.910 ppm |
2015-02-11 | 722652-07N | 0.400 ppm |
2015-11-09 | 150100708N | 1.10 ppm |
2015-11-09 | 150100706N | 0.310 ppm |
2015-11-09 | 150100704N | ND |
2015-11-09 | 150100702N | 3.00 ppm |
2015-11-10 | 150102308N | ND |
2015-11-11 | 150102911N | 0.810 ppm |
2015-11-11 | 150102910N | ND |
2015-11-11 | 150102912N | ND |
2015-11-11 | 150102913N | 0.940 ppm |
2016-05-11 | 16067304N | 0.230 ppm |
2016-05-11 | 16067302N | 0.800 ppm |
2016-05-11 | 16067026N | 2.22 ppm |
2016-05-11 | 16067021N | 1.87 ppm |
2016-05-11 | 16067014N | 1.23 ppm |
2016-05-11 | 16067007N | 3.37 ppm |
2016-05-11 | 16066622N | ND |
2016-08-09 | 16122502N | ND |
2016-08-09 | 16121409N | ND |
2016-08-09 | 16121404N | 1.84 ppm |
2016-08-09 | 16121403N | 0.350 ppm |
2016-08-09 | 16121402N | 0.490 ppm |
2016-08-09 | 16121401N | 2.88 ppm |
2016-08-10 | 16122506N | ND |
2016-08-10 | 16122508N | 0.440 ppm |
2016-08-10 | 16122514N | 0.450 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 17070705N | 1.29 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 17070707N | 1.52 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 17070709N | 1.68 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 17070719N | ND |
2017-05-09 | 17070703N | 2.69 ppm |
2017-05-10 | 17071405N | 0.220 ppm |
2017-05-10 | 17071403N | ND |
2017-05-10 | 17071401N | ND |
2017-08-15 | 17130610 | ND |
2017-08-16 | 17130605 | ND |
2017-08-16 | 17130607 | 0.380 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 17130606 | 1.18 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 17130604 | 1.60 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 17130603 | 0.460 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 17130602 | 0.400 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 17130601 | 2.40 ppm |
2017-08-16 | 17130608 | 0.360 ppm |
2018-08-14 | 18127710N | ND |
2018-08-15 | 52490004 | 0.910 ppm |
2018-08-15 | 18128108N | 0.910 ppm |
2018-08-15 | 18128107N | 0.420 ppm |
2018-08-15 | 18128106N | 0.630 ppm |
2018-08-15 | 18128105N | ND |
2018-08-15 | 18128104N | 1.58 ppm |
2018-08-15 | 18128101N | 2.34 ppm |
2018-08-15 | 18128102N | 0.480 ppm |
2018-08-15 | 18128103N | 0.310 ppm |
2019-05-14 | 19092612N | ND |
2019-05-15 | 19092602N | 0.890 ppm |
2019-05-15 | 19092607N | ND |
2019-05-15 | 19092606N | 0.630 ppm |
2019-05-15 | 19092605N | ND |
2019-05-15 | 19092604N | 1.56 ppm |
2019-05-15 | 19092603N | 1.07 ppm |
2019-05-15 | 19092601N | 2.42 ppm |
2019-08-14 | 19169103N | 0.830 ppm |