Arsenic is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, so clear water that tastes normal doesn’t rule it out. For homes supplied by private wells, laboratory testing is the only reliable way to identify arsenic in Livingston County well water.
Arsenic levels vary from one local well to another. A neighborhood result or the appearance of the water can’t establish the concentration at an individual property.
Why Arsenic Occurs in Some Livingston County Wells
Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and rock. As groundwater moves through arsenic-bearing geologic materials, arsenic can dissolve into the water drawn from a well.
In southeastern Michigan, elevated arsenic is more often associated with wells completed in bedrock formations than with glacial sand and gravel deposits. Those formations include the Marshall Sandstone, Saginaw Formation, Michigan Formation, and Coldwater Shale. A well’s depth, construction, and rock formation help explain why two nearby homes can have different results.
A United States Geological Survey review of 335 recent Livingston County well analyses found that 253 wells, or 75.5%, were at or below 10 micrograms per liter. The highest result from a well with known construction was 48 micrograms per liter in a Hamburg Township well completed in the Coldwater Shale. These figures reinforce why each well requires its own test.
What a 10 Ppb Arsenic Result Means
The Environmental Protection Agency’s enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level for arsenic in public water systems is 10 parts per billion, also written as 10 ppb or 10 micrograms per liter. That limit has applied since January 23, 2006.
The EPA’s health-based Maximum Contaminant Level Goal is 0 ppb. The enforceable 10 ppb limit addresses risks associated with long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic, which has been linked to cancer and other non-cancer health effects.
A laboratory result provides a measured concentration, not a prediction about an individual’s health. Households with wells can compare the result with the 10 ppb benchmark and review the broader water profile before selecting equipment.
When to Test Your Well
Livingston County requires most new or replacement wells to be tested for arsenic, bacteria, and nitrate, with a permitted arsenic maximum of 10 ppb. For an existing well, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services guidance recommends testing for arsenic and lead every three to five years.
Testing also makes sense when a household has never received an arsenic result, is evaluating a property served by a well, or wants updated information before changing treatment equipment. Because taste, smell, and color can’t screen for arsenic, waiting for a noticeable change isn’t a dependable testing schedule.
Ask for a test that identifies arsenic and consider reviewing other factors that affect treatment decisions, including iron, hardness, and bacteria. A nearby home’s result or an area groundwater report can show that testing is worthwhile, but it can’t establish the concentration in another well.
Why Arsenic Form & Water Chemistry Affect Treatment
Michigan groundwater contains two naturally occurring chemical forms of arsenic: arsenic III and arsenic V. Treatment performance depends on the form present and the well’s broader chemistry.
Factors such as pH, other contaminants, and household water use influence which treatment approach fits the job. A system selected because it worked for another home may not match a different well’s chemistry or treatment needs.
We begin with water analysis, then consider the household’s results, needs, budget, and frequency of use. Our AIO, or Air Injection Oxidation, system uses oxidation and a custom media bed without chemicals to address tested well-water concerns such as:
- Iron
- Sulfur
- Manganese
- Arsenic
The appropriate configuration still depends on the tested water.
Whole-Home & Tap-Level Treatment Options
Point-of-entry equipment treats water as it enters the home, while point-of-use equipment serves a specific location, such as a kitchen faucet. The appropriate scope depends on the test results and how the household intends to use the treated water.
Point-of-Entry Filtration
We offer a point-of-entry arsenic filtration system designed to address arsenic III and arsenic V along with iron, odor, and manganese. This option is worth discussing when the analysis supports treatment at the home’s entry point.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is a point-of-use option that significantly reduces arsenic III and arsenic V. We also offer an arsenic-reduction cartridge for arsenic-specific treatment at the tap, either as an alternative or a complement to point-of-entry equipment.
Ongoing Equipment Care
Equipment requires maintenance suited to the system and source water. We provide maintenance and repairs, and our rental options include iron and arsenic filters.
Start with the Well’s Actual Results
A clear glass of water isn’t proof that arsenic is absent, just as a countywide concern isn’t proof that every well has the same problem. Test the well, review arsenic alongside the factors that influence treatment, and select equipment according to the measured results and intended use.
For homeowners evaluating arsenic removal services in Livingston County, Beauchamp Water Treatment Solutions offers a free water test and estimate based on the home’s water conditions. To discuss testing or treatment options, call (810) 476-2907.