Nitrate and nitrite
Drakes Branch, Town of
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 | 1.11 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.140 ppm - 2.77 ppm |
2015 | 1.06 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.170 ppm - 2.68 ppm |
2016 | 1.09 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.190 ppm - 2.67 ppm |
2017 | 1.06 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.170 ppm - 2.77 ppm |
2018 | 1.11 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.180 ppm - 2.55 ppm |
2019 | 1.08 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.210 ppm - 2.67 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-06-11 | E140304694 | 1.25 ppm |
2014-12-10 | E140901538 | 0.280 ppm |
2014-12-10 | E140901539 | 0.140 ppm |
2014-12-10 | E140901543 | 2.77 ppm |
2015-06-10 | VA010-DCLS | 1.07 ppm |
2015-12-09 | VA010-DCLS | 2.68 ppm |
2015-12-09 | VA010-DCLS | 0.300 ppm |
2015-12-09 | VA010-DCLS | 0.170 ppm |
2016-03-23 | E151205025 | 1.21 ppm |
2016-11-09 | E160905003 | 0.280 ppm |
2016-11-09 | E160905004 | 0.190 ppm |
2016-11-09 | E160904996 | 2.67 ppm |
2017-03-22 | E161203970 | 1.000 ppm |
2017-05-17 | E170307370 | 0.280 ppm |
2017-05-17 | E170307371 | 2.77 ppm |
2017-05-17 | E170307365 | 0.170 ppm |
2018-05-16 | E180200929 | 1.40 ppm |
2018-06-20 | E180401007 | 2.55 ppm |
2018-06-26 | E180401000 | 0.290 ppm |
2018-06-26 | E180401001 | 0.180 ppm |
2019-06-25 | E190401039 | 1.15 ppm |
2019-06-25 | E190401040 | 2.67 ppm |
2019-06-25 | E190401041 | 0.210 ppm |
2019-06-25 | E190401042 | 0.280 ppm |