Water Contaminants
The environmental chemistry section tests for the following contaminants in public drinking water sources:
Metals
| Parameter | MCL/[SMCL] |
|---|---|
| Antimony | 0.006 |
| Arsenic | 0.01 |
| Barium | 2.0 |
| Beryllium | 0.004 |
| Cadmium | 0.005 |
| Calcium Hardness | - |
| Chromium | 0.1 |
| Copper | 1.3/[1.0] |
| Iron | [0.3] |
| Lead | 0.015 |
| Manganese | [0.05] |
| Mercury | 0.002 |
| Selenium | 0.05 |
| Silver | [0.10] |
| Sodium | 20 (Recommended level) |
| Thallium | 0.002 |
| Zinc | [5.0] |
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
| Parameter | MCL/[SMCL] |
|---|---|
| Trihalomethanes (total) | 0.080 |
| Benzene | 0.005 |
| Carbon tetrachloride | 0.005 |
| Chlorobenzene | 0.01 |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | 0.075; [0.005] |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | 0.6 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0.0005 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | 0.007 |
| c-1,2 Dichloroethylene | 0.07 |
| t-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 0.1 |
| Dichloromethane | 0.005 |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | 0.005 |
| Ethylbenzene | 0.7 |
| Styrene | 0.01 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0.005 |
| Toluene | 1 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | 0.07 |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 0.2 |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | 0.005 |
| Trichloroethylene | 0.005 |
| Vinyl chloride | 0.002 |
| As well as over 40 unregulated VOCs | - |
Inorganic Compounds
| Parameter | MCL/[SMCL] |
|---|---|
| Alkalinity | - |
| Chloride | [250] |
| Cyanide | 0.2 |
| Fluoride | 1.8(state); [2.0] |
| Nitrate (as N) | 10 |
| Nitrite (as N) | 1 |
| pH | 6.5-8.5 |
| Solids (TDS) | [500] |
| Sulfate | Deferred; [250] |
The Environmental Chemistry section performs tests for the following contaminants in private well water sources:
- Alkalinity
- Nitrite
- pH
- Sulfate
- Chloride
- Calcium hardness
- Fluoride
- Iron
- Nitrate
- Sodium
Water Microbiology tests for the following contaminants in public and private drinking water sources:
- E.coli
- Total coliforms
Return to the Environmental Chemistry section page.
Return to the Delaware Public Health Laboratory home page.
