Arsenic, a semi-metal element of nature, can be found in all areas. It can be found in groundwater at higher levels than the water standards in many US states.
Because of their bedrocks, Arizona, New Hampshire, and Maine are especially susceptible to high levels of arsenic water contamination.
So, you need the best arsenic filter for well water according to your need.
As a private well owner, you are responsible for testing your wells for arsenic.
There are serious health risks, and you may be wondering how to get rid of arsenic in water.
This guide will give you an overview of Private wells – Arsenic discusses, How to get rid of arsenic in your tap water.
What is Arsenic?
Arsenic is a common element in well water, soil, and rocks and is used for various purposes in agriculture and industry.
There are two types of arsenic in our water Arsenite, also known as trivalent arsenic, or arsenic 3 (arsenic-III, As-III).
It is impossible to control the amount of arsenic in our environment and groundwater. In some places, it may be present at higher levels than others.
Arsenic is a by-product of copper mining, smelting, and coal burning. It can be combined with other elements to create chemicals that preserve wood or kill insects on cotton and other crops.
EPA has set the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic in drinking water at 10 parts per billion (ppb) to protect consumers served by public water systems.
How does arsenic get in drinking well water?
The drinking water supply can be contaminated by arsenic from the common source of natural deposits or industrial and agricultural pollution.
Arsenic naturally found in rock formations dissolves when groundwater levels drop significantly.
Every year, American industries release thousands of pounds of arsenic into the environment.
Arsenic can remain in the environment for many years after release.
Rain, snow, and gradual settling remove arsenic from the atmosphere. It can slowly get into groundwater if it is present on the ground or in surface waters.
Due to arsenic-containing fertilizers or industrial waste, private wells may have arsenic levels higher than 10 ppb.
It could also be a sign of improper construction or excessive use of herbicides or chemical elements in the past.
The Exposure of Arsenic in Drinking Water
Because Arsenic is Tasteless and odorless, it can go unnoticed and not be detected.
The WHO states that poisoning is present in our clean water supply.
Its consumption or exposure to arsenic can lead to stomach pain, risk of skin, partial paralysis, and other health problems.
According to the World Health Organization, arsenic poisoning can result from long-term arsenic exposure.
It is mainly due to contaminated water, eating contaminated food, and eating arsenic-rich food.
According to a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council in 2000, “it was probable that as many as 56,000,000 people in 25 States.
Water with the arsenic level posed a very high risk of developing cancer.”
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) changed arsenic standards in the 1960s.
However, the impurities should still be protected – at the least in our waters to avoid any possible consumption.
How to test water for arsenic symptoms in private well water?
Arsenic is odorless and has no taste or color. You won’t be able to tell that you have contaminated well water symptoms unless you test well.
You need to test your home’s tap water for a survey of arsenic at least once every three years.
Even though your well may not have legal requirements to meet current drinking water standards, the testing is for your safety.
1. Private laboratory
A private laboratory, or public health service that is state-certified, can perform an arsenic water test.
If you want absolute proof, then you need a water sample tested by a certified laboratory.
A laboratory can give you all the information about your water contaminated with arsenic.
You will find out if your well-brown water contains arsenic, but you’ll also learn the truth. How much arsenic is in your water?
2. Kit for Water Testing
You will typically need to take a small amount of water and place a strip of testing material in the water for several seconds.
The strip will turn a specific shade when you take it off to indicate the level of arsenic solution in your water.
Although a water test kit can be helpful, you will get better results if a laboratory tests your water.
A household’s arsenic concentration of less than 10 PPB is safe enough to drink, cook, or use in other household activities.
Arsenic Filter for Well Water
According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, “arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the environment.”
However, levels of arsenic that are too high can harm human health.
Consider installing an arsenic filter if you have well water and are concerned about its levels.
Arsenic filters are available for both whole-house and point-of-use applications.
By installing this filter, you can rest assured that your family is drinking safe water.
1. iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified
Superb taste water filter is a reliable and ultra-safe reverse osmosis filtration system.
That converts your water into clean, pure, and healthy water by removing up to 99% of harmful chemicals contaminant like chlorine, fluoride, lead, dissolved solids, arsenic, asbestos, calcium, sodium, etc.
This Alkaline Demineralization filter restores healthy minerals. It produces a balanced alkalinity, giving your water a more natural taste.
The under-sink filter is easy to install with clear instructions and has a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Features
- NSF/ANSI 58 is certified to remove up to 99% of contaminants
- 6-stage filtration system for superior purity
- Alkaline demineralization filter for great taste
- Easy installation with clear instructions
- 1-year limited manufacturer warranty
2. Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher For Lead, Chlorine, PFOA/PFOS
The Aquagear Filter Pitcher is a product that is designed to filter out contaminants from your water, including lead, chlorine, and microplastics.
Its foundation helps build bios and filters for families in Tanzania without access to clean drinking water.
The pitcher has a lifetime guarantee, so if it ever breaks, Aquagear will replace it.
Features
- Lasts 3x longer than the competition
- Improves the taste of tap water
- Aquagear filter removes 2000% more contaminants than the leading competitor
- Recyclable
- The foundation helps build bios
3. Big Berkey® Gravity-Fed Water Filter
The extensive Berkey water filtration system is a powerful and convenient way to purify water for yourself and your family.
With a 2.25 gallon capacity, it is perfect for families of 1-4 people and can be used on the go or in your home.
The Black Berkey purification elements are long-lasting and effective against over 200+ contaminants, ensuring you and your family always have access to clean, safe water.
The water filtration system is a great way to ensure you are always drinking clean water.
Features
- 2.25 gallon capacity
- It-Perfect for 1-4 people
- Elements last for up to 6,000 gallons
- Effectively removes over 200+ contaminants
Tested and trusted
4. Waterdrop G3 Reverse Osmosis System
The Waterdrop G3 RO system is a top-of-the-line water filtration system certified against NSF 58 for TDS reduction and NSF 372 for lead-free material.
It has 7-stage filtration and can reduce lead, chlorine, taste, odor, chloramines, PFAS, fluoride, turbidity, and many heavy metals.
The tankless design is perfect for insufficient installation space and helps avoid secondary contamination.
This system also has a fast water flow (400 gallons water per day) and can filter a cup of drinkable water in 12 seconds.
Features
- It is certified against NSF 58, and NSF 372 for TDS and lead-free material reduction
- Tested by a third-party laboratory
- Can effectively reduce lead, chlorine, bad taste and odor, chloramines, salt, and nitrates.
- Tankless design is best for small spaces
- Fast water flow (400 gallons water per day)
- Produce a cup of water in less than 12 seconds
1:1 drain ratio saves the water
5. Berkey Authentic Black Berkey Purification Elements
The Berkey authentic purification elements with Berkey PF-2 Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements – Combo Pack is one of the best arsenic filters for well water treatment.
It removes contaminants, including fluoride, arsenic, inorganic materials, and other heavy metal ions.
The elements are long-lasting and have been independently tested by third-party labs to ensure their effectiveness.
This combo pack is excellent for those who want the best possible protection against arsenic contamination.
Features
EASY INSTALLATION– the Aries Clear Flow arsenic removal filter can be easily used as an under-sink or countertop water filter. It has all you need to easy and quick installation.
MULTI-STAGE FILTRATION– This filtration system uses a multi-stage activated carbon block filter to remove arsenic from your water.
The filter also removes other contaminants, such as lead, chlorine, and sediment.
NSF/ANSI STANDARD 58 CERTIFIED– The Aries Clear Flow removal of arsenic water filter is certified by NSF/ANSI Standard 58 to remove arsenic from your water.
6. Arsenic Under Sink Water Filter System
It is an under-sink water filter system that is very dependable and can last for years.
It effectively removes arsenic and provides quality, safe and pure water. Installation is accessible on all standard sinks.
The leak detector/flood-prevention valve will allow the water system to be flood-proof.
It can address both chlorine and chloramines and their by-products.
The filter is a mixed blend of coconut shell and catalytic GAC to address chlorine and chloramines and their by-products.
It is straightforward to use and does not take up a lot of space under the sink.
Features
- This can provide you with more than 10,000 gallons of quality, safe and pure water
- Leak Detector/Flood-Prevention
- A mixed blend filter
- You can install it on all standard sinks
7. InvisiClean Water Filter Pitcher
The InvisiClean pitcher is a great way to ensure your family drinks clean water.
It removes many different contaminants from your water, including arsenic.
The five-stage filtration system ensures that you get the best quality water possible.
The compact design is perfect to fit in your small refrigerator. You can contact their customer support when you face any issues.
It has 9.5 x 6.62 x 9.5 inches size and 2.05 pounds weight, making it a perfect size for most refrigerators.
An InvisiClean pitcher is available in white or blue. It has a capacity of 8 cups and comes with one filter.
Features
- 5 stage filtration system
- Removes contaminants such as arsenic, lead, and mercury
- Compact design
- Available in white or blue
- 8 cup capacity
- Includes one filter
A quick, inexpensive, easy way to filter arsenic from water
Bin Gao and his team used an iron-enhanced Carbon filter made with hickory Chips (called “biochar”) to eliminate the toxins.
He is an agricultural and biological engineering associate professor at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Gao stated that biochar can be made from various types of waste biomass, including agricultural residues.
This new technology is an alternative and more cost-effective method to remove arsenic.
Gao and his colleagues describe the process in a paper to appear in the January issue of Water Research.
The iron-enhanced biochar effectively eliminated the arsenic from the hard water, while plain biochar did not show any effect.
You can use several methods to remove arsenic from water.
These include adding lime or other coagulants to the water, using membranes to filter out arsenic, and an ion-exchange method.
A water softener filter is the best method to remove arsenic because it is easy to use and cost-effective with a high treated water flow rate.
Gao stated that water treatment systems could use a large biochar filter to remove arsenic. A small filter could be attached to the tap of homeowners.
He said further research is needed to optimize the process and create commercially available filters.
The National Science Foundation partially supported Gao’s research.
What water filter will remove arsenic from well water?
1. Point-of-Use arsenic filter for well water
Point-of-use treatment involves installing an arsenic removal filter at the kitchen sink and other designated faucets.
It is the best arsenic removal system for impurities like heavy metals contaminants, where ingestion is the primary route of exposure.
We recommend a Point-of-use arsenic water filter if other impurities are not present.
They offer the simplest and most cost-effective way to treat arsenic solutions in drinking water for the long term.
1 Point-of-Use Distillation
Distillation is a better option if you only want filters to remove arsenic from water for food and drink and is even suitable for a pet dog.
Electricity is required to run distillers. Plugging a distiller into a power outlet will cause the water to evaporate.
The treated water will then pass through a corridor before condensing into a clean carafe.
Most impurities, such as arsenic V, cannot evaporate, staying in a boiling chamber.
Distillation has one drawback: it takes time, often several hours, to distill water. It is not as instant as other options.
The distillation treatment method is affordable to make alkaline water at around $100-$150.
Distillers are very easy to maintain because they require almost no maintenance.
However, some distillers use small carbon filtration to remove fluoride and impurities which may remain in the water.
2 Adsorption Cartridges
You can find commercial Point-of-Use Adsorption Cartridges online by simply searching.
For the adsorption cartridge to extend its life, installing a pre-oxidation cart if Arsenic III is present is recommended.
Adsorption treatment options have advantages. It is selective for arsenic based on arsenic’s natural affinity to stick to or adsorb to iron filter media (or any other heavy metal-based media).
The homeowner can decide how often they should change the cartridges.
It is done by setting up quarterly testing for at least the first year and following the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
The current equipment costs $150, with cartridge replacement costing less than $100.
3 Reverse Osmosis
The ph of the reverse osmosis water range is between 5-7. RO water treatment technology gives you the best soft water quality for drinking coffee and lemonade, like bottled water.
The whole house reverses osmosis as the efficient solution for inorganic arsenic and other organic and inorganic materials from water.
This system includes several filters, like a reverse-osmosis membrane with microscopic holes smaller than water molecules while trapping larger arsenic molecules.
It allows you to enjoy clean, arsenic-free groundwater throughout your home.
Point-of-use RO systems typically cost between $150 to $400. Some systems can be more expensive.
They can last up to ten years, but you will need to change the RO membrane and filters frequently for the system to continue its high performance.
4 Activated Alumina
An activated Alumina filtration system uses an alumina medium that absorbs common well water contaminants.
Use this house water filter to remove arsenic in well water. To do so, you will need chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
Alumina water filtration is a method that can remove high levels of arsenic solution from your home and provide clean, readily available water.
For the water system to work effectively, it must have a pH of 7 or higher. Most systems can produce 10 gallons per minute.
Activated alumina systems can also remove iron. They are typically between $40 and $70, not including the cost of changing the filter media.
1. Whole House (or Point of Entry) arsenic water filter for well water
Whole-house or point-of-entry system refers to the total water treatment of the entire home with a high water flow rate.
This is important if your water contains contaminants such as iron, manganese, hardness, or other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Whole-house arsenic treatment method is unnecessary if levels exceed 250 ppb (0.25mg/L). There is no skin absorption, and accidental ingestion of these levels is not a health concern.
1 Oxidation-Filtration, Iron-Arsenic
When iron concentrations exceed 0.1 mg/L, iron-arsenic oxygenation is followed by particle water purification.
It is the most cost-effective whole-house arsenic filter for well water, reducing various harmful chemicals and contaminants throughout the house.
Frequently used are Manganese dioxide-based filter media like Birm, Greensand, and Filox.
This medium simultaneously oxidizes iron and arsenic, naturally addressing Arsenic III and Arsenic V.
The optimal Arsenic ratio is 20 parts iron to one part arsenic. For example, 0.4 mg/L iron and 20 ppb iron. pH 7 to 7.
The cost of removing arsenic can be found in the same range as other whole-house technologies, from $1,500 to $2,000.
Permanganate chlorine pre-oxidant would cost about $100 annually in maintenance costs if needed.
2 Adsorptive Media
This whole-home well filter system is perfect for removing arsenic from your water.
Nationally, at least seven adsorptive media that are commercially available are being actively promoted for arsenic elimination from water.
Most of these media are iron-based oxides, but there are also titanium- and zirconium-based media.
This technology has many advantages, including its simplicity and gradual arsenic contamination breakthrough.
It also allows for longer intervals between water softener replacements.
Adsorptive media have a limited capacity. It is especially true if pH is higher than 7.5 or Arsenic-III is present.
Install a single or dual house water filter is $1,500 to $2,000. It is similar to any other entire house treatment.
Annual replacement costs depend on the soft water quality and can easily be budgeted at $500-$750 per year.
3 Ion Exchange
It is the best water filter system for arsenic in well water, treated with an ion exchange resin. Water softener anion resin traps arsenic particles and stops them from entering your home.
This water treatment technology replaces arsenic with low levels of nontoxic impurities like sodium (salt).
The system flushes the resin bed once it is complete. It also removes larger particles from the resin bed in a process known as regeneration.
Depending on the complexity, Ion exchange systems can cost between $300 and $1,200.
The arsenic filtration may require salt replacement after every three months. You should plan for additional maintenance costs before investing in well water treatment.
After approximately 6 to 8 years, the ion exchange media will need to replenish.
Faq
What level of arsenic is considered safe in my drinking water?
The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has established the level for arsenic standard as 10ppb (parts per billion or micrograms per Liter) to safeguard consumers from the long-term exposure to arsenic.
Ten ppb roughly corresponds to 5 teaspoons of ink within the Olympic-size pool.
You can effectively remove it with a reverse osmosis filter.
How often do I need to check my drinking water?
The Arizona Health Department Services recommends that all well owners use a state-certified lab to test the well water for nitrates and bacteria every year.
And minimum every three years for arsenic or lead.
What is my arsenic testing results mean?
When you have a good idea of the level of arsenic, respond as follows:-
If the water arsenic level is lower than ten ppb, this is good water for cooking, drinking, and other uses.
If the amount of arsenic ranges from 100 to 200 ppb, it’s not a crisis. Still, you must plan to source water for cooking and drinking or install a home drinking water treatment system.
It has excellent performance with low or high water pressure and gives perfect water quality, like bottled water.
Well water with arsenic levels less than 100 ppb is thought to be safe for irrigation of water plants, such as vegetables and gardens (Ayers and Westcot 1985).
If the arsenic content in your well water is more significant than 200 ppb, avoid this water from cooking, drinking, or irrigation.
If the arsenic concentration is lower than 500 ppb, you can use the water for washing dishes and bathing.
Can you have to shower in water containing arsenic?
Arsenic cannot quickly get into your body via the skin. Swimming, bathing, or showering in water contaminated with levels up 500ppb is safe if you don’t swallow the water.
Verdict
Now you can choose the best arsenic filter for well water that removes other toxic chemicals and heavy metals from your water.
Because arsenic has no odor and tastes, it can go unnoticed and cause terrible symptoms.
For more information about the water filtration system, please let me know.
