Arsenic in Drinking Water Solutions
Approximately 20 percent of private wells in Massachusetts produce water that exhibit unhealthy levels of naturally occurring arsenic. Testing well water is the best way to make sure that your water is clean and safe to drink.
Arsenic in drinking water may occur naturally and is a tasteless, odorless and colorless contaminant. Some activities that could also have left residuals include apple orchard spraying, coal ash disposal, and use of some pressure treated wood. While there are serious health threats associated with ingestion, there are effective methods for removing arsenic in drinking water. For detail on potential health affects, see the link at: who.int/mediacentre/facts.
The two primary forms of Arsenic in well water are Arsenic III (AS III) and Arsenic V (AS V). Many removal media have a low capacity for removing AS III from the water. Therefore, converting it to AS V for removal is a common approach. Determining the ratio of AS III versus AS V in the water is critical. This will allow the design and implementation of a water treatment system that will effectively remove it from your drinking water. There are methods to oxidize the AS III and convert it to AS V for ease of removal.
Arsenic in Water Filtration System
WATER TESTING & ANALYSIS
Having a complete laboratory water test and analysis, including parameters that can negatively impact arsenic removal media, is critical. Water pH can significantly affect media performance along with other competing ions. These include Iron, Manganese, Hardness, Vanadium, Sulfate, Phosphate, Silica, Total Dissolved Solids, Suspended Solids and Hydrogen Sulfide. For a full article on this topic go to our publications section and click on the Arsenic removal article at https://h2ocare.com/publications/.
WATER USAGE MONITORING
Determining water usage is also critical to designing an effective arsenic in water removal system that will have the proper capacity. Key information would include well pump size, well pump flow rate, and size of the incoming water line. Also, the number of residents in the home and the number of bathrooms is important information, Additionally, other information needed includes space availability for equipment installation, electrical availability and water discharge location or restrictions..
TRACKING WATER USAGE, POST INSTALLATION IS VERY IMPORTANT
A couple of key components for consideration when designing this type of system include:
- Utilizing a meter to track flow rate and total gallons processed is critical to determine the home’s water demand.
- Gallons used readings also assist in uncovering any potential leaks in the home. This could prematurely deplete the arsenic media’s capacity.
LEAD/LAG TANK SET-UP CREATES BACK-UP AND INCREASES SAFETY
It is particularly important to have two tanks in series in case the first tank is depleted prior to scheduled service with your water treatment company. In following, service should be scheduled at intervals determined by the water use tracking data accumulated. This combined with appropriate water testing intervals are added safeguards to prevent Arsenic from getting into the treated water entering the home.
Finally, if you are contemplating buying a home that has arsenic, a safe, effective system can be installed to eliminate this problem.
