Myth: Arsenic is Always Present in Harmful Levels in Local Wells
Government data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring of El Paso County's aquifer 111ALVM shows arsenic was detected in many samples but remained below any federal health-based thresholds. Specifically, 70 samples from 21 wells, collected between 2021 and 2025 at depths ranging from 25 to 210 feet, had arsenic levels ranging from 0.04 to 5.9 micrograms per liter with a median of 0.33 micrograms per liter. None exceeded federal limits for safety. This means while arsenic is measurable in the area, it does not necessarily indicate unsafe water at any individual residential well.
How the Pentair Arsenic Filter Removes Arsenic from Household Water
The Pentair Arsenic Filter uses a targeted filtration process to remove dissolved arsenic compounds before water reaches your taps. This system directly treats water by adsorbing arsenic through specialized media designed to capture both arsenic III and arsenic V forms commonly found in groundwater. As water passes through the filter, arsenic is physically removed, improving water quality for drinking, cooking, and other household uses.
What Treated Water Feels Like at the Tap After Using This Technology
Water treated by the Pentair Arsenic Filter typically exhibits no obvious change in taste or clarity but benefits from greatly reduced arsenic content. Because arsenic often occurs at low concentrations without affecting taste or smell, the difference is primarily in safety assurance rather than sensory experience. Post-filtration water is otherwise unchanged, maintaining the feel and usability expected from residential water.
Why Secondary Aesthetic Standards Differ From Health-Based Limits in Arsenic Context
Arsenic has no federally established aesthetic secondary standard because it typically does not affect water's taste, odor, or color. In contrast, arsenic's health-based maximum contaminant level (MCL) governs safe consumption levels. This distinction means that any measurement of arsenic, even below health limits, is not related to aesthetic water quality but solely to health considerations. Understanding this difference helps avoid confusion between taste or appearance concerns and actual arsenic risk.
How Well Depth, Sample Depth, or Source Type Influence Arsenic Expectations
The USGS samples from wells 25 to 210 feet deep indicate that arsenic levels can vary with depth and possibly geology. Deeper wells may encounter different mineral layers, altering arsenic presence. It is important to recognize that these area-wide results do not predict your specific well’s arsenic concentration, which can vary due to local conditions. Testing your own water source remains the only way to establish your individual arsenic level reliably.
What Changes When Managing Arsenic Treatment for Larger or Seasonal Homes
Larger households or properties used seasonally have different water usage patterns influencing treatment needs. For bigger families, treatment systems must handle higher flow and volume without compromising arsenic removal. Seasonal homes may require attention to filter maintenance after periods of inactivity to ensure continued effectiveness. The Pentair Arsenic Filter ships ready to configure for various household sizes and usage scenarios, allowing flexible adaptation.
What You Should Not Conclude From El Paso County Area Arsenic Data
Although the USGS provides valuable regional arsenic data from El Paso County's aquifer 111ALVM, these results do not reveal the arsenic concentration in your home’s water supply. Detection in area samples is not a violation of any safety standard and does not guarantee safe or unsafe water in your well. The only way to know your water’s arsenic content is through certified laboratory testing of your home source. Based on those results, selecting a treatment system like the Pentair Arsenic Filter can then effectively address your household’s specific needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2025-12-18. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Arsenic in the 111ALVM aquifer (El Paso County): 70 results from 21 wells, median 0.33 ug/L, range 0.04-5.9 ug/L; none above any federal threshold
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