Removing Arsenic from Drinking Water

Water Treatment (Process) Arsenic can be found in both surface water and ground water sources, with concentrations generally higher in ground water. The presence of arsenic (As) in nature is due mainly to natural deposits of metalloids in the earth's crust and particularly in ancient rock formations. Arsenic enters ground water through erosion. Most notably, arsenic concentrations exceeding drinking water standards have been detected in Maryland's Coastal Plain Province near the Chesapeake Bay. Utilities in the affected area opted for either an alternative water source (e.g., blend low-arsenic water with higher-arsenic water, use surface water or drill deeper wells) or installed inexpensive treatment methods to remove the arsenic from their water. This class provides a comprehensive discussion of all aspects of arsenic removal from drinking water. As the appropriate treatment removal process for a specific water supply depends on the characteristics of the raw water supply, topics covered will include: chronic effects of long-term exposure to arsenic; areas in Maryland most likely to have elevated concentrations of arsenic in ground waters; the two main forms of arsenic in ground waters; arsenic removal systems from Maryland ground water; and differences in removal approaches for As V and As III.