Arsenic in Well Water Solutions
REMOVAL OF ARSENIC IN WELL WATER
An estimated 20 percent of private wells in Massachusetts produce water that exhibit unhealthy levels of arsenic in well water. Even more wells produce water with elevated concentrations of radon for which treatment is recommended. Wells that have not been properly maintained may produce water contaminated with bacteria and other contaminants. Inspecting your well and testing well water is the best way to make sure that your water is clean and safe to drink, but well owners often don’t have the right kinds of tests done or do not use accredited laboratories.
Arsenic in well water may occur naturally and is a tasteless, odorless and colorless contaminant. Other activities that could have left residuals include apple orchard spraying, coal ash disposal, and the use of some pressure treated wood. While there are serious health threats associated with ingestion, there are effective methods for removal. For detail on potential health affects, see the World Health Organization link at: who.int/mediacentre/.
The two primary forms of Arsenic in well 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 for removal is a common approach. Therefore, 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 the water. There are methods to oxidize the AS III and convert it to AS V for ease of removal.
Twin Arsenic system with Ozone
WATER TESTING, ANALYSIS AND OTHER FACTORS
Water Test
Having a complete laboratory water test and analysis, including parameters that can negatively impact arsenic removal media, is critical to a well designed, safe water treatment system that will remove arsenic in well 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 http://publications/.
WATER USAGE MONITORING
Determining water usage is also critical to designing an effective 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.
TRACKING WATER USAGE POST SYSTEM 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 such as running toilets, which will unnecessarily prematurely deplete the arsenic media’s capacity.
LEAD/LAG TANK DESIGN INCREASES SAFETY
Because Arsenic in well 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. 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.
If water testing reveals radon in water, an aeration system that removes the radon gas and safely vents it to outside ambient air is very effective. For more information about radon in water and how to remove it, see the link at http://radon-removal/. For information about a water softener system, see the link at Water Softening.
