Arsenic
V*
Arsenic (abbreviated As) is a naturally
occurring contaminant found in many ground waters.
Arsenic in water has no color, taste or odor. It
must be measured by a lab test. Public water utilities
must have their water tested for arsenic. You can
get the results from your water utility. If you have
your own well, you can have the water tested. The
local health department or the state environmental
health agency can provide a list of certified labs.
The cost is typically $15 to $30. Information about
arsenic in water can be found on the Internet at
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website:
www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html.
There are two forms of arsenic: pentavalent
arsenic (also called As(V), As(+5), and arsenate)
and trivalent arsenic (also called As(III), As(+3),
and arsenite). In well water, arsenic may be pentavalent,
trivalent, or a combination of both. Special sampling
procedures are needed for a lab to determine what
type and how much of each type of arsenic is in the
water. Check with the labs in your area to see if
they can provide this type of service.
Specially formulated Carbon Block
systems are very effective at removing pentavalent
arsenic. A free chlorine residual will rapidly convert
trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic. Other water
treatment chemicals such as ozone and potassium permanganate
will also change trivalent arsenic to pentavalent
arsenic. A combined chlorine residual (also called
chloramine) may not convert all the trivalent arsenic.
If you get your water from a public water utility,
contact the utility to find out if free chlorine
or combined chlorine is used in the water system.
The Multi-Pure MP880 Models are designed
to remove only pentavalent arsenic. It will not convert
trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic. The system
may remove some trivalent arsenic, however, it has
not been evaluated for its ability to remove trivalent
arsenic. The system was tested in a laboratory to
remove pentavalent arsenic. Under lab conditions,
as defined in ANSI/NSF Standard 53, the system reduced
0.050 mg/L (ppm) pentavalent arsenic to 0.010 mg/L
(ppm) (the U.S. EPA standard for drinking water)
or less. The performance of the system may be different
at your installation. Have the treated water tested
for arsenic to check if the system is working properly.
* Only Multi-Pure's MP880 Series is certified to
reduce Arsenic V
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