The Michigan Department of Public
Health laboratory analyzes drinking water for eight
parameters in a routine testing procedure referred to as
a partial chemical analysis. Below is a table of these
parameters and associated problems. Except for fluoride
and nitrate, the levels listed below are general
guidelines. State drinking water standards have been
established and are listed for these two chemicals.
|
TEST RESULTS IN Milligrams PER LITER (MG/L) |
|
Test |
Excellent |
Satisfactory |
Objectionable |
Problem |
|
Iron |
0-0.2 |
0.2-0.5 |
Over 0.5 |
Staining, turbidity taste, odor |
|
Sodium |
0-20 |
20-250 |
Over 250 |
Taste, special diets may require water of low
sodium content |
|
Nitrate (N) |
0 |
1-10 |
Over 10 (State drinking water standard is 10) |
Nitrate poisoning-especially infaNitrate/td>
|
|
Nitrite |
0 |
0-1 |
Over 1 |
Nitrite poisoning-especially infants |
|
Hardness (CaCo3) |
25-100 |
100-250 |
Over 250 or less than 25 |
Scaling of water fixtures, soap scum at high
levels; corrosion at low levels |
|
Sulfate |
0-50 |
50-250 |
Over 250 |
Laxative taste, odor, scaling in boilers, heat
exchangers |
|
Chloride |
0-20 |
20-250 |
Over 250 |
Taste; corrosion |
|
Fluoride |
1.0-1.2 |
0.7-2.0 or 1.7-2.4 |
Over 4.0 (State drinking water standard is 4) |
Low levels are beneficial in preventing tooth decay. High
levels may cause mottling of teeth |
Test results are reported in
milligrams per liter (mg/l) for all parameters.
