05/19/2026
Water Quality Notice - Sodium Information
Sodium is a naturally occurring common element found in soil and water. It is necessary for the normal functioning of human systems. Recent lab samples for sodium within our wellfield have ranged from 37.4 milligrams per liter (mg/l) to 7.33 mg/l. For comparison below, this amount equates to 1.1 mg of sodium per ounce (oz) of water to .22 mg per oz. of water. For healthy adults, sodium in water is typically a small fraction of total daily intake. Most dietary sodium comes from food, not water.
The principal source of exposure to sodium remains from diet. The average American diet can contain anywhere from 1,100 milligrams per day (mg/d) to 3,300 mg/d depending on the amount of table salt added to food. Fruits, vegetables, and meats naturally contain sodium. Many foods such as dairy products and processed food products contain higher concentrations of sodium. As a reference, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) lists the following averages, a slice of white bread could contain close to 200 - 300 mg of sodium, 1 hotdog 400 - 800 mg, a 16.9 oz. bottle of diet cola 40.6 mg, a 16.9 oz. sports drink 204 mg and the average 16.9 oz energy drink contains 193 mg. Drinking water contributes only a small fraction to the overall sodium intake as a liter of water equates to 33.81 oz.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a guidance level for sodium in drinking water to 20 mg/l, that threshold was developed specifically for people restricted to 500 mg of total sodium per day. Exceedance of this guideline does not affect the general population.
The guideline of 20 mg/l for sodium when exceeded does not require treatment of the water to reduce the levels to prevent adverse health effects on public health. The guideline represents a level of sodium in water that physicians and sodium sensitive individuals should be aware of in cases where sodium exposures are being carefully controlled. Individuals who are on sodium restricted diets or who wish to monitor their sodium intake for other reasons should take the amount of sodium in their water into account.
For more information, click the following link or contact the Adams Fire District at (413) 743-0978 ext. 13.
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