The EPA is responsible for the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, which are health-related standards that establish the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). MCLs are the maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water delivered to users of a public water system. MCLs are enforceable under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The maximum levels for some of the most commonly found contaminants are:
| Bacteria Lead Pesticides (atrazine) Pesticides (simazine) Total Nitrate/Nitrite Nitrite Total Chlorine pH Total Hardness | None Below 15 ppb (parts per billion) Below 3 ppb Below 4 ppb Below 10.0 ppm (parts per million) Below 1.0 ppm Below 4 ppm 6.5 to 8.5 50 ppm or less |
A laboratory test on your drinking water will measure bacteria (total coliform, E. coli), lead, nitrate, nitrite, total nitrate/nitrite, pH, iron, and turbidity, and will provide an exact measurement of contaminants. The laboratory test takes three to five days to complete and the results will be emailed to you. For more information on private wells, please see Drinking Water.