Let’s pretend we work for water management and are analyzing local water samples. Pay close attention to where we get the water from and how high the levels of nitrates and carbamates are. Notice at the bottom of the chart is information telling you how much of each toxin is dangerous. Samples
Location
Nitrates
Carbamates
1
Three miles downriver from drinking water uptake facility
120 mg/L
0.60 mg/L
2
Two miles downriver from drinking water uptake facility
90 mg/L
20 mg/L
3
Two miles upriver from drinking water uptake facility
80 mg/L
0.40 mg/L
4
One mile upriver from drinking water uptake facility
100 mg/L
0.50 mg/L

Toxic levels: Nitrates > 100 mg/L; Carbamates > 0.40 mg/L *> denotes greater than or equal to
Which sample location (s) could possibly lead to contamination of drinking water?
Yes or no? Why or why not?
Yes or no? Why or why not?
Yes or no? Why or why not?
Yes or no? Why or why not?