Maximum Contaminant Levels

Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) are issued by the US EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA). Here are the MCLs for some of the substances we commonly test for.

Inorganics MCL

Analyte MCL (mg/L)
Antimony 0.006
Arsenic 0.010
Barium 2
Beryllium 0.004
Cadmium 0.005
Chromium 0.1
Cyanide 0.2
Mercury 0.002
Nitrate 10
Nitrite 1
Selenium 0.05
Thallium 0.002
Lead 0.015 TT/AL*
Copper 1.3  TT/AL*
Secondary Contaminants SMCL**
Aluminum 0.05 to 0.2
Chloride 250
Detergents 0.5
Iron 0.3
Manganese 0.05
pH 6.5-8.5
Silver 0.1
Sulfate 250
Total Dissolved Solids 500

*Treatment Technique – An enforceable procedure or level of technical performance which public water systems must follow to ensure control of a contaminant.
Action Level – Level at which action must be taken to reduce contaminant.

** SMCL – Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (non-enforcable)

Organics MCL

Analyte MCL (mg/L)
 Alachlor 0.002
Altrazine 0.003
 Benzene 0.005
 Chlordane 0.002
 Ethylbenzene 0.7
 Glyphosate 0.7
 Lindane 0.0002
 Methoxychlor 0.04
 Toluene 1
 Toxaphene 0.003
 Trichloroethene 0.005
 Vinyl Chloride 0.002

Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether, or MTBE, is an oxygenate – a fuel additive which was added to gasoline to aid in its more complete combustion. Due to its solubility in water, MTBE has been found as a contaminant in many water wells throughout the state. Most of this contamination is due to gasoline spills or leaks.

Although MTBE is not currently regulated, a drinking water advisory has been issued. See the EPA website for more information.

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