Contaminant or Characteristic	Level considered Average	Maximum acceptable level	Remarks
Bacteria
Total Bacteria	0/ml	100/ml	0/ml is desirable
Coliform bacteria	0/ml	50/ml	0/ml is desirable
Nitrogen Compounds
Nitrate	10mg/l	25 to 45 mg/l	Levels from 3 to 20 mg/l may affect performance
Nitrate	.4mg.l	4mg.l
ph	5.5 to 6.5
Total hardness	60 to 180		Hardness levels less than 60 are unusually soft; those 180 are very  hard.
Natural Occurring Chemicals
Calcium	60 mg/l
Chloride	14mg/l	250mg/l	Levels as low as 14 mg/l may be detrimental if the sodium level is higher than 50 mg/l
Copper	.002mg.l	.6mg/l
Iron	.2mg.l	.3mg.l	Higher levels produce a bad odor and taste
Lead		.2mg.l	Higher levels are toxic.
Magnesium	14 mg/l	125 mg/l	Higher levels have a laxative effect.  Levels greater than 50 mg/l affect performance if the sulfate level is high.
Sodium	32mg/l		Levels above 50 mg/l may affect performance if the sulfate or chloride level is high.
Sulfate	25mg/l	1250mg/l	Higher levels have laxative effect.  Levels above 50 mg/l may affect performance if magnesium an chloride levels are high.
Zinc		1.50 mg/l	Higher levels are toxic.