Region 1: EPA New England
Concerns About Arsenic in Drinking Water Call for Action
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
By Robert W. Varney
February 11, 2005
New England is on top of the world -- home to the world champion Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. But the solid footing of our sports teams doesn't help New England with some bad geologic luck. New England is also home to underground rocks that cause arsenic to make its way into some drinking water supplies.
Arsenic, a naturally occurring semi-metallic element that is widely distributed throughout the earth's crust, can be introduced into ground water through dissolution of minerals and ores. Information about the occurrence of elevated levels of arsenic in New England's groundwater highlights the need to address this important health concern.
Long-term exposure to elevated levels of arsenic in drinking water poses numerous health risks including skin damage, problems with circulatory systems, and increased risk of certain cancers. Recognizing that arsenic in drinking water is harmful to our health, and in response to a 1999 study by the National Academy of Sciences that concluded that an old 50 parts per billion standard for arsenic in drinking water did not sufficiently protect the public from long-term exposure, the EPA passed a rule in 2001 that tightened the standard to10 parts per billion.
State and federal regulations requiring all public water systems to test for the presence of arsenic in groundwater supplies revealed a prevalence of elevated arsenic in some public water systems in New England. Our state environmental partners report that over 100 public water systems in both New Hampshire and Maine and at least a dozen systems in Massachusetts and Vermont tested above EPA's maximum contaminant level for arsenic.
The new arsenic rule applies to these government-regulated public water systems -- systems which serve more than 25 people or have more than 15 service connections. These systems typically supply water to towns, trailer parks, apartments, nursing homes, schools, or businesses. The revised rule requires public drinking water systems that have tested above the standard to install appropriate arsenic control technology in order to meet the 10 ppb standard by 2006. Towns and water suppliers should currently be laying the groundwork for funding necessary treatment upgrades.
Since drinking water obtained from private wells is not regulated under federal law, private wells are often not sampled for arsenic unless individual well owners choose to do so. It is important that homeowners who obtain their drinking water from private bedrock wells regularly test their drinking water for arsenic, as well as other contaminants of concern.
Many local citizens assume that their well water is clean and safe because a water test was conducted when they built or bought their home. What they don't realize, however, is that their water test probably did not measure the amount of arsenic in their well water.
If you have a private well, please have it tested as soon as possible, and make sure that your water test includes arsenic. And if you're buying a home with a private well, please ensure that the water test covers arsenic and other common contaminants.
EPA recognizes the challenges that the new arsenic standard poses to small public water systems. For this reason, EPA has worked with state public health and environmental agencies to offer assistance, training and guidance on arsenic. There are readily available treatment systems designed to remove arsenic from drinking water. The costs of these systems vary depending on system size. Some public water systems may be eligible for financial assistance through EPA's drinking water state revolving fund.
I urge the public to support any funding that may be necessary to install arsenic control measures for public supplies that are above the 10 ppb standard. I also encourage homeowners with private wells to pay attention to this important health concern and to test their wells for arsenic.
For more information on arsenic in drinking water, visit EPA's website at http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/arsenic/index.cfm or contact our regional arsenic in drinking water expert Chris Ryan at 617-918-1567.
Robert W. Varney is regional administrator of EPA's New England Office in Boston.