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Nitrate-Nitrite Sampling Instructions

Nitrate and Nitrite are regulated under the Phase II/IV Rules, which establishes a Maximum Containment Level (MCL) and a Maximum Containment Level Goal (MCLG) for each. As such, all community water systems and non-transient non-community water systems, that have their own water source, are required to sample to maintain compliance with the established regulations. On this page you will find step-by-step instructions on how to take, package, and send in a sample. For additional information, please visit the Nitrate-Nitrite webpage. If you have any questions about the sampling process or the regulation of Nitrates and Nitrites in drinking water, please contact us.

  • Nitrate MCL and MCLG = 10 mg/L or 10 ppm
  • Nitrite MCL and MCLG = 1 mg/L or 1 ppm

Stacey Herreid

Rule Manager

P: 701-328-5287
E: sherreid@nd.gov

The following video is an alternative way to experience the steps described below.

Prior to Sampling

The week before the scheduled sampling your system will receive a cooler from the lab that also includes:

  • 5 Zipper Storage Bags
  • A Sample Bottle
  • A Sampling Sheet
Make sure you have received all the necessary items before beginning the sampling. If anything is missing, please contact the lab.

Sampling Procedure

  1. Open the sample tap to the coldest temperature it allows
  2. Let water run until the temperature stabilizes
  3. Fill the bottle to 1/2 inch below the lid
  4. Close the bottle
  5. Fill in the necessary information on the sampling sheet

Preparing Zipper Storage Bags

  1. Prepare 2 packages of double-bagged loose ice using the zipper storage bags that were provided.
    • Fill 1 zipper bag with loose ice and seal it
    • Add that sealed bag to a 2nd zipper bag and seal again
    • Fill a 3rd zipper bag with loose ice and seal it
    • Add that sealed bag to a 4th zipper bag and seal again
    Now you should have 2 packages of double-bagged loose ice.
  2. Add Completed Sample Sheet to the last zipper storage bag

Packing Cooler

  1. Add 1 package of loose ice to the bottom of the cooler
  2. Add the sample you just took on top, near the center, of that package of loose ice
  3. Add the other package of loose ice on top of the sample
  4. Add zipper storage bag with the completed sample sheet on top of that package of loose ice
  5. Close cooler firmly

Shipping Cooler Back

  1. Express Ship or Hand Deliver to lab within 48 Hours of taking the sample

Nitrate/Nitrite samples have a temperature restriction, failure to recieve samples under temperature will result in rejected samples.

Department of Environmental Quality
4201 Normandy Street
Bismarck, ND 58503-1324
 P: 701-328-5150
 F: 701-328-5200
 E: deq@nd.gov
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