How common is it to have arsenic in well water?
An estimated 2.1 million people throughout the U.S. may be drinking domestic well water high in arsenic(Public domain.) “Although high-arsenic wells can occur in all 48 contiguous states, it is more prevalent in some states than in others,” said Ayotte.
Which states have the highest level of arsenic concentrations in well water?
5 States with High Levels of Arsenic in Groundwater
- 1. California. Arsenic is commonly found in California’s groundwater, primarily due to natural sources.
- Nevada. Arsenic is also one of the most common contaminants found in Nevada’s well water.
- Arizona.
- Illinois.
- Maine.
Is arsenic found in well water?
Arsenic can enter the water supply from natural deposits in the earth or from industrial and agricultural pollution. High arsenic levels in private wells may come from certain arsenic containing fertilizers used in the past or industrial waste.
Where is arsenic in water a problem?
Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks and soil across Minnesota. Small amounts can dissolve into groundwater that may be used for drinking water. Drinking water with arsenic in it can increase your risk of cancer and other serious health effects.
How do you fix arsenic in well water?
Reverse Osmosis Systems The most cost-effective method for removing arsenic from a private water supply appears to be reverse osmosis, commonly called RO. RO can be thought of as filtration at a molecular level. It works by forcing water through a special, selective membrane.
How do I know if my water has arsenic in it?
In drinking water, arsenic has no odour or taste. Only a chemical test can detect the presence of arsenic. Most private wells do not have routine testing for water quality or contaminants. Any well may contain arsenic or other contaminants.
How do you remove arsenic from well water?
Current methods to remove arsenic include precipitation, adding lime or coagulants to water, using membranes to filter it out, or using an ion exchange process. But using a filter for removal is one of the most commonly used methods due to its ease of operation, relatively low cost and high effectiveness.
Can you remove arsenic from well water?
Do Brita filters remove arsenic?
We confirm the ability of the ZeroWater® filter to reduce the arsenic concentration by 99%, and observed that the Brita filter reduced the arsenic concentration by 22.6% and 28.6% when the influent arsenic concentration is 10 μg/L and 100 μg/L, respectively.
What is the safe level of arsenic in water?
EPA has set 10 ppb as the allowable level for arsenic in drinking water (maximum contaminant level). (EPA 2006) The World Health Organization recommends a provisional drinking water guideline of 10 ppb.
Where is arsenic found in groundwater?
Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally in soil, bedrock, groundwater, and ocean water. Traces of arsenic are also found in groundwater, lakes, and rivers.
How much arsenic is in drinking water?
For drinking water, the health standard for arsenic in water is 10 micrograms per liter (ug/L), which is equivalent to 10 ppb (10 parts of arsenic per 1 billion parts of water).
What are the health effects of arsenic in water?
Studies in other countries have shown that drinking water containing elevated levels of arsenic can cause the following health effects: Thickening and discoloration of the skin. Digestive problems such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Numbness in the hands and feet.