How to Remove Arsenic from Water

Arsenic is a chemical element that commonly contaminates water. It is dangerous even in low doses, and is a known carcinogen. A Columbia University study found that reducing levels of arsenic in water to 10µg/L prevented an estimated 200-900 cancer cases per year. Arsenic removal from drinking water is crucial for improved health.

Arsenic in Drinking Water

Arsenic contamination in drinking water is a growing problem in the U.S. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports that “dangerously high levels of arsenic have been found in drinking water wells in more than 25 states in the United States, potentially exposing 2.1 million people to drinking water high in arsenic.”

Certain water systems in the U.S., particularly in the southwest, are more likely to contain dangerous levels of arsenic. Michigan, too, reports higher levels of arsenic in groundwater. It’s important to be aware of the contaminants in your household water supply, and to know how to make your water safe.

Removing Arsenic from Water

The two main methods of arsenic removal are point-of-entry (POE) or point-of-use (POU) treatments. POE water treatment systems are installed where the water supply enters your household. They therefore treat the entirety of the household water supply. However, POE treatment systems are often costly and inconvenient, and should be carefully researched before installation.

POU treatments remove contaminants just before use, and offer much more convenience and efficiency. These treatments can involve processes like ion exchange or reverse osmosis, or they can be easily accomplished with absorptive filters. Aqua Clara’s Universal Cartridge Filter is an excellent choice for arsenic removal. 

Our filters fit your favorite water pitchers and dispensers, and will purify your home's drinking water at a reasonable price. They are also equipped with a rubber seal to protect against contamination and ensure that no unsafe water gets through. Plus, your purchase helps fund arsenic removal from water supplies around the globe!

At Aqua Clara, we are committed to all forms of sustainability, but especially water sustainability. We provide access to clean water by designing, developing, and disseminating clean water technologies to benefit those who live on less than $2 per day. We also aim to reduce the number of people who purchase bottled water by offering our Universal Cartridge Filter, which reduces many different contaminants. 

You can purchase a filter directly from our website, and they are also now available at Wal-Mart and on Amazon. The proceeds from these filters help fund our projects all over the world, so consider helping us make a difference by purchasing a filter today!

About Aqua Clara International

Scientists long ago discovered how to purify unsafe water.  To us, the central issue has been in designing solutions that are both sustainable and scalable and that can reach the millions in need while at the same time continuing to function without sustained outside input.  Our target populations are those individuals and families who live on $2 per day or less.

We are a technology transfer organization. Our niche in clean water continues to be in designing science-based technologies that utilize locally available materials where possible and then transferring what we learn to those working in areas of need.  The cost of our technologies varies by country and is dependent on the prevailing costs of raw materials, such as plastic containers, PVC piping, sand, etc. Learn more by visiting our website.