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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Nitrate and nitrite

Corrotoman By The Bay

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.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.01000 ppm220.01000 ppm
20150.00500 ppm21ND - 0.01000 ppm
2016ND20ND
20170.0150 ppm220.01000 ppm - 0.0200 ppm
20180.01000 ppm220.01000 ppm
2019ND20ND

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
2014-01-27244432010.01000 ppm
2014-01-27244431010.01000 ppm
2015-01-2800001_EXP-AMERIC0.01000 ppm
2015-01-2800001_EXP-AMERICND
2016-01-2831009201ND
2016-06-2931009301ND
2017-01-17342381010.0200 ppm
2017-01-17342379010.01000 ppm
2018-01-30381937010.01000 ppm
2018-01-30381940010.01000 ppm
2019-01-2942533201-NITND
2019-01-2942533501-NITND