Barium

Mesa Water District

Barium is a mineral present in rocks, soil and water. High concentrations of barium in drinking water increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2013	N/A	0	N/A
2014	ND	3	ND
2015	ND	1	ND
2016	ND	7	ND
2017	ND	10	ND
2018	ND	1	ND
2019	ND	3	ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 700 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 700 ppb for barium was defined by EWG as benchmark that protects against harm to the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 2,000 ppb

The legal limit for barium, established in 1991, was based on a 10-week study of barium exposure in 11 adult male volunteers. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2014-08-04	4417-007-0930	ND
2014-09-02	4417-014-1015	ND
2014-09-15	4417-010-0905	ND
2015-02-09	4417-008-0745	ND
2016-02-10	4417-010-1025	ND
2016-05-09	4417-012-1015	ND
2016-05-09	4417-010-1100	ND
2016-05-11	4417-014-0820	ND
2016-06-16	4417-006-0940	ND
2016-06-16	4417-014-0900	ND
2016-09-20	4417-006-0915	ND
2017-02-21	4417-040-0850	ND
2017-05-08	4417-008-0810	ND
2017-05-08	4417-040-0930	ND
2017-06-20	4417-006-0810	ND
2017-07-12	4417-006-1100	ND
2017-08-24	4417-040-0835	ND
2017-10-02	4417-040-0810	ND
2017-10-12	4417-007-0810	ND
2017-10-30	4417-006-0740	ND
2017-11-09	4417-007-0740	ND
2018-03-07	4417-006-0940	ND
2019-05-20	4417-010-0955	ND
2019-05-29	4417-014-0810	ND
2019-07-29	4417-012-0820	ND