Arsenic

Arsenic in New Hampshire Water

Arsenic is a semi-metal. Although arsenic can be associated with orchard spraying and coal ash disposal, most of New Hampshire’s arsenic is naturally occurring and comes from our bedrock. It is odorless and tasteless. Laboratory testing is the best way to determine your well water concentration.

Problems

Arsenic creates no known staining issues.

Health Risks

Arsenic is a Class one human carcinogen, meaning it is highly toxic to humans and is a cancer causing agent. Long-term exposure is linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, immunological disorders, diabetes and other medical issues. The cost of leaving this contaminant unchecked or untreated will far outweigh the cost of a water system.

Treatment Options

There are several methods for arsenic treatment utilizing both point-of-use and whole-house systems. A point-of-use system can consist of a Reverse Osmosis Unit (RO) or a flow thru canister containing one of several arsenic-specific medias, usually at a separate faucet at the kitchen sink. Whole house filtration includes:

• Oxidation with Anion filtration tanks
• Absorptive media tanks by themselves
• Oxidation with absorptive media tanks
• The whole house reverse osmosis (RO)

The above four methods are preferred by McBride’s Water Advantage and our decision to recommend one over the other is dependent on your water chemistry, the size of your home, your family, and cost. In any case, we will give you a few options when treating arsenic.

Schedule Water Testing in New Hampshire today!

Protect your family and test your water. Call us today to speak with a specialist and schedule an appointment. 603.736.4470