Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soils and groundwater. Arsenic in Well Water: Understanding Your Test Results [PDF exit DNR] What to do about high arsenic levels in your well. The groundwater system in New Mexico is very complex. The concentration of arsenic in well water depends on a number of factors, such as the amount of arsenic present in the soil through which the groundwater has passed and whether the water chemistry is favourable for arsenic to remain dissolved. However, if water is treated with free chlorine then you probably don’t have high levels of arsenic III in your tap because chlorine rapidly oxidizes arsenic III to arsenic V. The only way to know your arsenic 3 concentration (and your arsenic 5 concentration) is to run a water test in an environmental testing lab. There are some options for well owners when well water tests high for arsenic. Some areas have more arsenic in groundwater due to the natural geology. Look into water treatment systems that lower arsenic as close to zero as possible. Arsenic has been detected in about 40 percent of new wells drilled since 2008 in Minnesota. Arsenic is not removed by pitcher type filtration units or boiling. It tends to remain in the body and it can have a damaging cumulative effect in the body. Initial Discovery of Arsenic in Well Water . Most well-known as a poison once used between political or personal rivals, arsenic is now causing more problems at very low levels in our well water and food. Arsenic in Wisconsin well water is an increasingly hot topic with new regulations in the state that match the EPA’s standard of 10 ppb (parts per billion). Arsenic can get into drinking water from natural deposits or runoff from agriculture, mining and industrial processes. Domestic Well Safety Program at 971-673-0977 or 711 for TTY. This laboratory process takes time, and it is expensive. Homeowners should be aware that water tests conducted before the year 2000 only included arsenic testing when it was requested. The Bureau of Health recommends that all household wells be tested for arsenic. So, the only thing that has been left, is to actually get a water filter. It has no color, smell or taste. The last of the best methods for removing arsenic from water well systems is the iron oxide filtration systems. Cities must perform regular tests for water contaminants like Arsenic. Just remember that no filter or removal system can remove the arsenic completely. High arsenic water is more common for drilled wells, but even dug wells can have elevated levels. Low-arsenic water can be used for drinking, cooking and irrigation purposes, whereas high-arsenic water can be used for other purposes such as bathing and washing clothes. The chlorination does not remove arsenic as well. Arsenic is a poisonous metalloid that can get to drinking water wells as a result of natural erosion processes and other man-made practices. Well water with arsenic levels greater than 0.01 mg/L can safely be used for bathing, handwashing, dishwashing, and watering a garden. The Health Canada Maximum Acceptable Concentration for arsenic in well water is 0.01 mg/L. Essentially these are the latest and greatest methods for lowering arsenic in drinking water. Many private wells in Illinois also exceed the legal limit for Arsenic in drinking water. There appears to be higher arsenic levels in central New Mexico counties based on the data that are available. About 10 percent of Minnesota’s private wells have arsenic levels higher than 10 µg/L. The call is free and our phones are answered 24/7 by real HUMANS. Featuring patented NSF Std. If your well water has arsenic above 5 parts per billion, switch to bottled water for cooking and drinking right away, and contact your private drinking water well program, your state health department or your local health department. In the links below are to county maps showing Arsenic levels in well water. 1. It is very similar to carbon filters; but instead of carbon, the material is iron oxide. Treatment devices Approved arsenic treatment devices. A chemical oxidant should be selected as aeration is ineffective at oxidizing arsenic. Andy Smith, a toxicologist with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates that about 80,000 people in the state drink water from private wells and another 9,000 drink public water that exceeds 5 ppb of arsenic. Arsenic, a toxic element naturally found in groundwater, is a public health concern for households drinking from wells. While arsenic is often portrayed as a method of poisoning in films and television, it occurs naturally in many areas. Some wells around Wonder Lake, IL may contain levels 2-3x higher than the EPA limit. For example, test water for arsenic levels and paint tube wells or hand pumps different colours. If Arsenic is found, the city must notify residents. 2001 article (updated 2006) from Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Arsenic can be found in groundwater throughout Minnesota. Private well water is not regulated to meet the federal drinking water arsenic Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 μg/L, or the more protective 5 … There are a few areas with high geographic predisposition to failed readings. Arsenic in water supplies is rarely found at toxic levels. PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION Environmental Public Health Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust. Arsenic is removed from the air by rain, snow, and gradual settling. However, starting in August of 2008, well contractors are now required to test each new well they drill for arsenic and to share the results with the well owner and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). It is important to regularly test your well water for a standard suite of chemical parameters, including arsenic. In B.C., natural minerals are the most common sources of arsenic in drinking water. Arsenic contamination of groundwater can also sometimes be traced to deep-water brines produced from gas and oil well drilling or from industrial activities like semiconductor manufacturing. Wells drilled into certain bedrock frequently contain arsenic at some level. Arsenic is a natural element found widely in the earth's crust. About Arsenic. REMOVE ARSENIC FROM DRINKING WATER Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a form of groundwater pollution which is often due to naturally occurring high concentrations of arsenic in deeper levels of groundwater.It is a high-profile problem due to the use of deep tube wells for water supply in the Ganges Delta, causing serious arsenic poisoning to large numbers of people. “Once released, arsenic remains in the environment for a long time. Since arsenic cannot be seen or tasted in water, a laboratory analysis is the only way to determine the arsenic level in drinking water wells. Boiling will not remove Arsenic from water so the investment into filter is necessary. The ideal solution is to get the reverse osmosis system, however, if you are on the budget even simple pitcher filter will help you with arsenic. When arsenic levels are found to be too high at a specific location, it may be necessary to treat drinking water to remove it. How Arsenic is Regulated. The amount of arsenic in ground water supplies like wells is usually higher than in surface water supplies such as lakes, streams and rivers. The list contains treatment devices approved by the Department of Safety and Professional Services for the removal of arsenic. Additional Arsenic Information. This is especially common in rural areas, too, where arsenic levels can reach up to 3,000ppb! Well Water Testing It is up to residents with private wells to test their own well water to learn how much arsenic it contains. Testing. If your well water is tested and contains arsenic above the drinking water guideline of 0.010 mg/L, a second test is recommended to verify the original results; in the mean time use bottled water or obtain water from a safe alternate source for drinking and cooking. In isolated cases, wells in the state have had readings far above the EPA standard. Drinking Water Wells in Oregon . Arsenic water filter options for both well water and public water supply arsenic removal. Discriminate between high-arsenic and low-arsenic sources. Not sure what you need? Starting in 2008, all new private wells in Minnesota must be tested for arsenic. Maine has some as well. Arsenic levels in water samples from private wells vary between New Mexico counties and even within the same county. Several test kits have to be in place to get this test done. Arsenic is also found in wood preservatives, animal feed additives and may be a byproduct of herbicide production. Remove Arsenic, Lead and other Heavy Metals from Your Well Water. Introduction . Wells high in arsenic have been found all over Maine. It’s largely New England, Death Valley, and then that Wisconsin-shaped thing on the map that is unfortunately Wisconsin. In general, the sample results are from Type II nontransient noncommunity water supplies and residential water well samples submitted to EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory. Traces of arsenic have been found in wells, lakes, reservoirs, dams and other water bodies that are exposed to chemicals and natural compounds that contain arsenic. Arsenic concentrations vary in accordance with geographic location. When reporting on arsenic in drinking water and private wells, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that some industries in the United States release thousands of pounds of this semi-metallic element into the air every year. This complexity can lead to large arsenic concentration variability even among neighboring wells. The maximum contamination level (MCL) for arsenic in public water systems is 10 micrograms per liter of water (µg/L). The goal is to get it to lower than the EPA’s maximum level of 10 parts per billion. Therefore, it is important that you know how to test water for arsenic and learn how safe is your drinking water. US and Canada residents call 800-684-0979. Arsenic is in groundwater throughout the state, but it is more likely in some areas. Testing for arsenic in water wells has always been difficult since it has no odor or taste. Consequently, if the arsenic in the source water is predominately As(III), then oxidizing As(III) to As(V) with a chemical oxidant (such as chlorine) will result in a higher arsenic removal efficiency. Arsenic Water Filter. If you can remove the arsenic to below that level than you are clear to drink that water. However, it is a dangerous contaminant that should be addressed when discovered. Arsenic in Minnesota Water . Arsenic is naturally occurring in Nova Scotia groundwater and exposure to arsenic in well water is associated with a range of adverse health effects, including skin and internal cancers. It may be found in some drinking water supplies, including wells. In drinking water, arsenic is odorless and tasteless. 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