My Home Water Treatment

1. My Home Water Treatment Recently I was asked to do a presentation, at a networking meeting, about our company and the services we provide along with a particular topic to discuss. It’s easy to discuss one particular water treatment issue and how to solve it but there are twelve other people at the table that don’t necessarily have that particular problem. They have a whole different perception of their water problems and water concerns or just want to know what the heck that contraption is in their basement (water softener) and how it works. So instead of doing a typical presentation, I said how about we go around the table to each person and they can ask a question pertaining to their water or water treatment system. This way we can help everyone with their water concerns. It worked out very well. Everyone was happy with the presentation. I helped everyone with their water questions and we all learned something about each other (which is the objective for networking). We actually ran over by ten minutes. But during all these discussions the one topic that came up more than any was Arsenic! 1/4

2. Arsenic is naturally occurring in Southeast Michigan and has become a big concern for those living with water drawn from private and community well water supplies. In 2001 The World Health Organization lowered the arsenic standard from 50 ppb (parts per billion) to 10 ppb. In part due to the increased incidence of health-related problems at the previous levels of 50 ppb. In 1999 I happened to work with the very first family in Michigan that had been diagnosed with arsenic poisoning. Their water had been tested and the Arsenic levels were at 43 ppb, well below what was perceived to be the threshold for health problems at the time. The whole family had become sick, three young children and the parents, with various symptoms that seemed totally unrelated. 2/4

3. Their water was the last thing tested and arsenic was found to be the basis for all their health problems. The entire family had elevated levels of arsenic in their systems. Their health issues sparked renewed interest in the arsenic levels and what is really a “Safe” level for human consumption. Doctors finally stood up and took notice and started testing their patients for elevated arsenic levels and to everyone’s dismay, the arsenic problem was much more widespread than anyone could have conceived. One doctor that became proactive in testing his patients for arsenic, and searching for solutions for them, is in Southfield, MI. Southfield (located in the middle of a city water area outside of Detroit, MI), actually has many homes still on private wells. It was discovered that many of the wells have extremely high levels of arsenic. Arsenic Removal Methods There are two approaches to arsenic removal. POE (Point of Entry) which is whole house treatment or POU (Point of Use) treatment at a specific spot in the home. Usually at the kitchen sink. 3/4

4. 1. Water Softener; In the presence of ferrous iron even a water softener will help remove some arsenic from the water supply. But this is not the recommended method for arsenic removal. Typically only small amounts of AS-5 are removed with this process and the arsenic levels removed are very inconsistent. 2. Reverse Osmosis; Reverse osmosis systems can be an option for arsenic removal. These systems are typically only for POU (point of use) and have a dedicated faucet at the kitchen sink and can be tied into the refrigerator also. This is good for AS 5 removal and will need a separate AS 3 filter to assure all arsenic is removed. This would only be for drinking water, not the whole house. 3. Oxidation and Precipitation; Fortunately AS 5 (arsenic five) has a strong affinity to bind to iron. So the most practical method of removing arsenic is with an oxidation/precipitation filtration system, With this method AS 3 is converted over to AS 5 and consequently, a much higher success rate of total arsenic removal is achieved. This method can be accomplished by either “Air Induction” or “Chemical Injection”. In a residential home, depending on water chemistry, arsenic levels and water usage. Air Induction is the most practical approach. It is recommended to seek out a seasoned water treatment professional and water treatment company experienced with arsenic removal to assure you have the best and most practical water treatment solutions for your household. I hope this article has been helpful in answering some of your questions and concerns regarding arsenic and the options you and your family have to treat your water and be healthy and happy for years to come. Yes, you can drink up with peace of mind! Good Water, Good Life! 4/4