According to the dictionary, arsenic is defined as; the chemical element of atomic number 33, a brittle steel-gray metalloid. A mineral that occurs naturally in soil, bedrock and water and is odorless and tasteless.
Now that the basics are understood, does the home you live in or place you work need to be tested? If it hasn’t already, the answer is probably ‘yes’.
Arsenic can effect ground water and private wells and the acceptable levels vary by area. The EPA lowered these acceptable levels from ’50 ppb’ (parts per billion) to ’10 ppb’ (parts per billion), this doesn’t sound too bad, but even in small amounts, arsenic can be harmful if ingested.
So what are your options?
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has identified a number of removal technologies, such as, sorption process, membrane process (like reverse osmosis) and precipitative process (including enhanced lime softening).
These new technologies are thought to be cost effective for business and well owners alike.
Reverse osmosis is a membrane process that is cost effective in reducing arsenic levels in private water supplies. This type of process starts at the molecular level by forcing water through a membrane. The membrane has microscopic pores that allow only the smallest particles to pass, trapping larger inorganic molecules like arsenic and lead. Studies have shown reverse osmosis can be up to 95% effective in the removal of arsenic.
Lime softening is predominantly used for the removal of uranium and radium, but it can be effective in removing arsenic, iron and maganese.
Now you have some options, where do you go from here?
Of course there are thousands of options to choose from, thanks to the Internet, and as soon as the nearest water treatment company is located, basic questions should be asked, like; what’s the most cost effective treatment for your situation? What are some other technologies that might be better suited?
Keep in mind, the technologies mentioned in this article may not be offered in your area, but what ever the removal method decided, your local water treatment company will get you on your way to cleaner, safer water.
Learn more about our arsenic removal systems.