Treatment and Removal of Arsenic in Drinking Water

Arsenic can be found in a variety of places in our environment---one common area for concern is our drinking water supply. Since arsenic is a known carcinogen (a cancer-causing substance), most people want to be sure they are not ingesting a harmful amount of it with their water. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, arsenic is large quantities can lead to cancer of the lungs, skin, liver, kidney and bladder.

Testing

• If you pay a water bill, the provider of your water supply is required by law to test the water for arsenic content. According to the NJDEP, the maximum amount of arsenic allowed by law in drinking water is five nanograms per liter. Contact your local water supplier if you'd like to see the statistics. If you have your own well and wish to test it, use the same standard and use a reputable lab that is certified to test for arsenic.

  The dangers of arsenic in water are limited to ingestion only. According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, bathing and showering with water containing arsenic poses no risk, as it is not absorbed into the skin and does not evaporate.

Point of Entry

• Point of entry treatment (POET) systems are designed to remove contaminants from the water for the entire household. Water from the source is filtered as it enters the house and is treated before reaching any of the taps. According to NJDEP, the cost of a system that accomplishes this will be around $3,000 and be effective for two or three years before maintenance is required, depending on the amount of arsenic in the water.

Point of Use

• Point of use systems (POU) are a more economical and popular choice. For around $400, according to NJDEP, one system can be installed under a sink and will filter all the water coming through that single tap. Since the kitchen is where most drinking water will come from, that is usually where these systems are installed.

  POUs probably make the most sense to more people since there is no apparent risk of bathing with water containing arsenic unless it rises above the level of 500 parts per billion, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

EPA Findings

• In addition to causing cancer in humans, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says arsenic has been linked to other diseases and conditions, including acute gastrointestinal and cardiac damage and vascular disorders. The EPA also says that ion exchange and activated alumina adsorption are technologies available to remove arsenic on a large scale, as opposed to individual treatment plans for a home.