Arsenic in water in Seabrook, NH

Arsenic in Water Solutions

Arsenic in water may occur naturally and is a tasteless, odorless and colorless contaminant.  Some activities that could 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 removal.  The primary forms of Arsenic in water are AS III and AS V.   Many  removal media have a low capacity for removing AS III from the water, therefore converting it to AS V (which is easier to remove) is a common approach.  Determining the ratio of AS III versus AS V in water is critical as this will allow the design and implementation of a water treatment system that will effectively remove it.   There are methods to oxidize the AS III and convert it to AS V for ease of removal. For detail on potential health affects, see the link at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/

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Twin Arsenic system with Ozone

WATER TEST & ANALYSIS FOR ARSENIC IN WATER

Water testing for Arsenic in water Seabrook, NH

Having a complete laboratory water test and analysis, including parameters that can negatively impact removal media, is critical to a well designed, safe water treatment system that will remove the arsenic in water.  pH can significantly affect Arsenic media performance along with other competing ions such as Iron, Manganese, Hardness, Vanadium, Sulfate, Phosphate, Silica, Total Dissolved Solids, Suspended Solids and Hydrogen Sulfide.  For a full article on this topic which we’ve had published in Water Technology Magazine, go to our publications section and click on the Arsenic removal article at https://h2ocare.com/publications/

WATER USAGE MONITORING

Water meter for arsenic in well water Seabrook, NH

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, size of the incoming water line, number of residents in the home, the number of bathrooms, space availability for equipment installation, electrical availability and water discharge location or restrictions, among others.

WATER USAGE TRACKING AFTER SYSTEM INSTALLATION

A couple of key components for consideration when designing this type of system include:

  1.  Utilizing a meter to track flow rate and total gallons processed is critical to determine the home’s water demand.
  2.  Gallons used readings also assist in uncovering any potential leaks in the home such as running toilets, which will unnecessarily prematurely deplete the arsenic media’s capacity.

LEAD/LAG TANK DESIGN FOR ADDED SAFETY

Because Arsenic in water is a tasteless, colorless and odorless contaminant, 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.  With certain minerals like iron & manganese for example, “bleed through” may become visible and alert you to the need for a water filtration system adjustment.  Arsenic “bleed through” will leave you no clues.  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.

In summary, finding Arsenic in well water may first come as a shock, however , if you are contemplating buying a home that has Arsenic in the well, you can have a safe, effective system installed to eliminate this problem.

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H2O Care is an established full service, regional water filtration and testing organization, originally formed in 1989.  See our published articles in Water Technology Magazines at http://h2ocare/pub.  Contact us at [email protected] or call 800-539-1100.