Signs & Symptoms of Arsenic in a Water Well

In 1995 almost 42 million people in the United States were getting their drinking water from private wells, according to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict regulations in place for public water supplies, no such regulations exist for private wells. Individual homeowners are responsible for testing and treating their private water supply for contaminants such as nitrates, coliform bacteria and arsenic.

• A glass of fresh well water.

Source

• Arsenic is a highly toxic inorganic chemical that is found mainly in rocks and minerals, and is the 20th most abundant element found in the earth's crust. Arsenic also can find its way into the ground as a by-product of various manufacturing and farming processes. As the ground absorbs the melting snow and rain, the water seeps through the earth, rocks and minerals, naturally taking some of the elements they contain with it before entering a water supply.

Testing

• Private wells should be tested at least once a year for potential contaminants. Many private labs can conduct the test for a small fee. A list of certified water testing labs can be obtained from your state's Department of Health Services or Environmental Conservation. Lab results include the concentration of arsenic in the well and whether it exceeds water quality standards.

Symptoms

• Arsenic poisoning can include the following symptoms: skin discoloration, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, numbness in hands and feet, blindness and partial paralysis. Long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic has also been proven to cause many forms of cancer.

Treatment

• There is no treatment for arsenic exposure. Your physician can only help to minimize the discomfort of the symptoms.

Prevention

• Environmental arsenic is not distributed evenly in the ground. Check with your local health department to determine the concentration of arsenic in your area. If your area tends to have a high level of arsenic in the ground, you should test more frequently than once a year. Inspect your well periodically for damage and install the appropriate filters.