How Much Do You Know About Arsenic and Its Presence in Drinking Water?
Learn how arsenic enters your water supply, what levels are considered safe, and how Kinetico can help improve your home's water.
Arsenic in Water
Arsenic is a naturally occurring tasteless, colorless, and odorless element that is mainly found in ancient rock formations and can be introduced into an area as a by-product of burning coal, mining or copper smelting. It can also enter groundwater supplies through erosion or from wood preservative, petroleum production, semi-conductor manufacture, animal feed additives and arsenic-containing pesticides. In groundwater, arsenic can combine with other elements to form toxic inorganic compounds.
Long-term exposure to arsenic, even at low levels, can be harmful to health. It is unlikely to have negative effects from showering or cleaning with water containing arsenic, but drinking or cooking with water contaminated with arsenic could be problematic.
The maximum contaminant level, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is set at 10 parts per billion (ppb) for public water supplies. Municipalities are doing their best to ensure the safety and quality of the water they supply; however, if you have a private well, you are responsible for the quality of your home’s water supply. Water treatment equipment may be needed to improve the quality of your water.
Take The Next Steps To Improve Your Home's Drinking Water
Problems from arsenic-contaminated water can be more common from well water than from city water.
How To Remove Arsenic From Water
According to the CDC, boiling water is not a viable option to remove arsenic in water. In fact, it could increase the concentration of arsenic in the water. Chlorination is also not effective for arsenic removal. Although there are several methods to reduce arsenic in water, a water filter is the most common method.
Kinetico’s K5 Drinking Water Station is certified to reduce pentavalent arsenic (As V) in water. If trivalent arsenic (As III) is present, adding the Arsenic Guard FlexFilter cartridge will reduce this form of arsenic from drinking water. For those who want a solution for the entire home, Kinetico's whole-house Arsenic Guard is a great option. The media used in the Arsenic Guard is called UltrAsorb A, which is used to adsorb pentavalent arsenic (As V). Trivalent arsenic, (As III), which is harder to remove from water, must be oxidized prior to entering the Arsenic Guard system.
To determine the best water treatment option for you and your home, contact a Kinetico water expert today.
Contact An Authorized Kinetico Dealer To Schedule A Free Water Test