Culligan Aqua-Cleer Advanced Drinking Water Systems - Manual (Page 55)

55
Arsenic
Fact Sheet
(con’t)
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(+), 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 at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Toxicological Profile
on Arsenic website at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs2.html, and at the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency website at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html.
Arsenic does not generally impart color, taste, or smell to water; therefore, it can only
be detected by a chemical analytical test. Public water supplies are required to monitor
delivered water for arsenic (trivalent arsenic 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. An arsenic test usually costs about $15-0,
and it is recommended that the test be conducted by a certified laboratory. Local health
departments or environmental protection agencies can help provide consumers with a list
of certified laboratories. Some laboratories may also be able to analyze specifically for
(speciate) the form(s) of arsenic present in a water sample if requested.
The Aqua-Cleer system with AS following an RO is designed to reduce arsenic: both
pentavalent and trivalent forms of arsenic. This treatment system was tested under
laboratory condition as defined in NSF/ANSI 5 Drinking Water Treatment Units - Health
Effects and was found to reduce [influent arsenic challenge concentration 0.050 mg/L]
arsenic consisting of either pentavalent or trivalent arsenic in the test water to less than
0.010 mg/L, for [tested treatment capacity] gallons of delivered water, the life of the system
under standard testing conditions. Actual performance of the system may vary depending
on specific water quality conditions at the consumer’s installation. Following installation of
this system, the consumer should have the treated water tested for arsenic to verify that
arsenic reduction is being achieved and the system is functioning properly.
The arsenic removal component of this system must be replace at the end of its useful life
of 1,000 gallons. The replacement components, AS, RO0, RO50 can be purchased from
your local Culligan dealer.