Arsenic Water Treatment

What is Arsenic?

Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally in soil and bedrock. Traces of arsenic can also be found in groundwater, lakes, rivers and ocean water. Some foods can also contain levels of the organic (non-toxic) form of arsenic.

High levels of inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, have been found in over 1,200 private wells in Wisconsin. With the exception of Milwaukee county, arsenic levels in excess of 10 parts per billion (ppb) have been found in all other counties in SE Wisconsin.

Guthrie & Frey offers arsenic water treatment to protect your home from harmful levels of inorganic arsenic.

Arsenic Exposure

Since arsenic is a natural part of the environment, everyone is exposed to small amounts. The major source of arsenic exposure is drinking water that contains elevated levels of arsenic. Arsenic can be easily absorbed by drinking contaminated water or by breathing airborne particulates. Arsenic is not easily absorbed through the skin and does not evaporate from the water into the air.

Point of Entry

These systems are designed to reduce arsenic levels to below 10 ppb for all water within the home (excludes irrigation). The 2 main types of treatment are those that involve chlorination and oxidation and those that utilize absorptive medias. After testing your water, we’ll select the best option for your home based on your area and what is in your water following the water test. At present, an absorptive media application would require state approval for each application. In cases where the well serves the public, the equipment recommendations will require DNR approval.

Point of Use

These systems are designed to reduce arsenic to levels below 10 ppb to a few points of use only (i.e. faucet at the kitchen sink and refrigerator). Depending on the quantity and type of arsenic based on the water test, a traditional reverse osmosis system may already be approved for this application. These systems are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased or rented. If the arsenic makeup has not been speciated and/or the majority is in a trivalent form, a more elaborate, state approved RO system would be recommended. These systems employ a chlorination step. The less expensive chlorine feed option is a simpler design that requires a less precise method of chlorine introduction. All the RO systems would require routine maintenance (depending on the system and the level of service it requires).

Much of the above listed information is from the Wisconsin department of Natural Resources form PUB-DG-062.

Arsenic Testing

You cannot taste, smell or see arsenic. Testing is the only way to identify arsenic in drinking water. The current standard is a maximum contaminant level of 10 ppb. Arsenic levels below 100 ppb are typically considered safe to bathe in. Depending on the lab, total arsenic tests can now be turned around in approximately 7 business days beginning from the date the lab receives the sample.

Get started with your FREE water analysis today.