Water Nuggets Practice Exam

What is the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for chloride?

1. 250 mg/L

2. 142 mg/L

3. 45 ppm

4. 0 mg/L

The correct answer is: 250 mg/L

The Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for chloride is 250 mg/L, which denotes the level of a contaminant in drinking water that is deemed safe by health authorities. MCLGs are set by regulatory bodies to protect public health, taking into account the estimated health effects of the contaminant. For chloride, this level is established based on considerations of health impacts and palatability of drinking water. High levels of chloride can lead to issues such as increased saltiness in water and potential effects on people with certain health conditions. However, the MCLG of 250 mg/L is considered a threshold that effectively balances the need for safe drinking water with the realities of natural variations and typical levels found in groundwater and surface water sources. While chloride is not typically associated with serious health effects at this concentration, the established goal aims to prevent any adverse impacts on human health while maintaining water quality standards.