How to Remove Arsenic From Water

Arsenic is poisonous contaminant often found in drinking water. It can enter drinking water from industrial and agriculture activities, and it cannot be detected by smell or taste. Arsenic has been linked with several cancers, including lung and prostate cancer. Although the EPA regulates the level or arsenic in public drinking water, it can sometimes slip through the cracks.

Things You'll Need

• Arsenic test kit
• Water-filtration system

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Use an arsenic test kit to determine the level of arsenic in your water. Most test kits cost $15 to $30 and can provide results within 20 minutes. The EPA regulates the level of arsenic in public drinking water to 10 ppb (parts per billion). If the level of arsenic is higher than 10 ppb, contact the EPA to file a complaint.

• 2

  Purchase a water-filtration system designed to remove or reduce arsenic. The non-profit organization NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) has certified 20 water-filtration products to remove or drastically reduce arsenic levels in water.

• 3

  Retest your water after it has been filtered. Many believe the EPA mandate is too high and arsenic can be dangerous even at lower levels than 10 ppb. The lower your arsenic level, the better off you are.