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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Nitrate and nitrite

Bluewater Lake Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association

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.

 

8

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

2

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.0500 ppm21ND - 0.1000 ppm
2015ND20ND
20160.110 ppm110.110 ppm
20170.170 ppm110.170 ppm
20180.0600 ppm110.0600 ppm
20190.160 ppm110.160 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
2014-09-2620140312900.1000 ppm
2014-09-262014031291ND
2015-04-302015013211ND
2015-04-302015013210ND
2016-03-0220160060420.110 ppm
2017-06-2020170180510.170 ppm
2018-06-1420180165860.0600 ppm
2019-04-0420190084850.160 ppm