Arsenic Water Filters

Our whole house arsenic water filter systems are designed to reduce arsenic in water to less than 0.010 mg/L (ppm), (10 μg/L (ppb)). Ensuring that the levels of arsenic in well water are safe can help protect you and your family from the compound’s harmful effects. Actual performance of the system may vary depending on specific water chemistry and conditions at the consumer's installation. Following installation of this system, the installation site should have an arsenic water test performed on the treated water to verify arsenic reduction is being achieved.

AQUA PUMP WAS THE FIRST COMPANY IN THE STATE TO INSTALL AN ARSENIC WATER FILTERING SYSTEM ON A PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY WITH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH APPROVAL.

The Norwich Bulletin shares a story about Hyde School in Woodstock, CT, featuring this arsenic water filtering system.

For more information about arsenic in water please consult the following Arsenic Fact Sheet:

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ARSENIC IN WATER – FACT SHEET

Media used for arsenic water filtering are affected by a number of water parameters. Ensuring that these water parameters are checked prior to installation can ensure that arsenic in drinking water is being removed effectively. The R.E. Prescott Co., Inc. Layne RT™ Water Arsenic Reduction System is designed to reduce pentavalent arsenic in water. Actual performance of the system may vary depending on specific water conditions at the consumer’s installation. Following installation of this system, the consumer is recommended to have an arsenic water test performed to verify that arsenic water filtering  is being achieved and the system is functioning properly.

The arsenic water filtering component of this system must be replaced at the end of its useful life when the treated water exceeds 0.010 mg/l (0.005 mg/l in NJ & SC) of arsenic or sooner. The replacement component can be purchased from Aqua Pump Co., Inc. your local Layne RT™ Water Systems Professional.

Arsenic

Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring contaminant found in many ground waters. It generally occurs in two forms (valences or oxidation states): pentavalent arsenic (also known as As(V), As(+5), and arsenate) and trivalent arsenic (also known as As(III), As(+3), and arsenite). In natural ground water, arsenic may exist as trivalent arsenic, pentavalent arsenic, or a combination of both. More information about arsenic and its toxicity can be found on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Toxicological Profile on Arsenic, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Arsenic in water does not generally impart color, taste or smell to water and therefore, can only be detected by a chemical analytical test. Public water supplies are required to perform regular tests on delivered water for arsenic (testing for trivalent plus pentavalent arsenic) and the results are available to the public from the utility. Consumers using private water sources will need to make arrangements for testing or following CT drinking water requirements. It is recommended that the test be done by a laboratory to ensure that the levels of arsenic in well water are safe for consumption.

Total Arsenic

If the total arsenic concentration is above 0.050 mg/L please consult your Layne RT™ Water Systems Professional.

Arsenite As (III)

The Layne RT™ System is designed to remove As(V). If arsenite is present it is recommended that you oxidize the water prior to the arsenic treatment media. Contact Aqua Pump. Co., Inc, your local Layne RT™ Water Systems Professional for oxidizing options.

pH

Adsorption media in arsenic water filtering systems operate most effectively between pH 5.5 and 8.5. At elevated pH, silica becomes a more aggressive interfering species. Do not use organic acids (such as citric or acetic acid) to adjust the pH ahead of the media.

Silica

Levels above 20 mg/L begin to interfere with arsenic adsorption on the media when combined with a pH above 7.5.

Phosphate (PO4)

Levels above 0.150 mg/L as PO4 or levels above 0.05 mg/L as P will reduce media life for arsenic adsorption.

Iron & Manganese

Soluble iron and manganese may precipitate onto the media bed. If iron and manganese are above the secondary MCLs (0.30 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L respectfully), it is recommended to remove them before the arsenic water filtering system is used.

Hardness

Hardness does not significantly affect the performance of the arsenic water filtering media.

CAUTIONS

Oxidation/Disinfection

Oxidizing agents, such as chlorine or sodium hypochlorite (bleach), can degrade the arsenic water filtering media. If chlorine is present in the raw water (> 1.0 ppm residual), it should be removed prior to the media with activated carbon filtration.

Hydrogen Sulfide

If hydrogen sulfide is present, the arsenic water filtering media will temporarily remove it from the water before it is displaced by sulfates. Once it is displaced, the hydrogen sulfide will impart an odor to the water.