Nitrate and nitrite
Chesterfield County Central Water System
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 | 0.145 ppm | 4 | 3 | ND - 0.290 ppm |
2015 | 0.155 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.110 ppm - 0.270 ppm |
2016 | 0.0250 ppm | 4 | 2 | ND - 0.0500 ppm |
2017 | 0.0625 ppm | 4 | 3 | ND - 0.120 ppm |
2018 | 0.103 ppm | 4 | 2 | ND - 0.290 ppm |
2019 | 0.133 ppm | 4 | 3 | ND - 0.230 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-04-22 | E140308574 | 0.150 ppm |
2014-04-22 | E140308614 | 0.140 ppm |
2014-04-22 | E140308609 | ND |
2014-04-22 | E140308607 | 0.290 ppm |
2015-04-23 | VA010-DCLS | 0.270 ppm |
2015-04-23 | VA010-DCLS | 0.120 ppm |
2015-04-23 | VA010-DCLS | 0.120 ppm |
2015-04-23 | VA010-DCLS | 0.110 ppm |
2016-04-25 | E160305655 | 0.0500 ppm |
2016-04-25 | E160305683 | ND |
2016-04-25 | E160305656 | ND |
2016-04-25 | E160305684 | 0.0500 ppm |
2017-04-19 | E170304733 | 0.0600 ppm |
2017-04-19 | E170304744 | 0.0700 ppm |
2017-04-19 | E170304753 | 0.120 ppm |
2017-04-19 | E170304723 | ND |
2018-06-13 | E180403017 | ND |
2018-06-13 | E180403022 | 0.120 ppm |
2018-06-13 | E180403031 | 0.290 ppm |
2018-06-13 | E180403041 | ND |
2019-05-16 | E190402831 | 0.230 ppm |
2019-05-16 | E190402836 | ND |
2019-05-16 | E190402840 | 0.150 ppm |
2019-05-16 | E190402844 | 0.150 ppm |