If your household water from Pierce County’s aquifer 112GLCV tastes unusual or you worry about arsenic exposure, you are not alone. Government sampling of this aquifer area found arsenic in all tested wells, ranging from 0.08 to 2.5 micrograms per liter (ug/L), with a median of 0.33 ug/L. These results come from 10 samples collected between 2010 and 2016 from wells 40 to 100 feet deep. None exceeded federal arsenic thresholds, but detecting arsenic at any level can prompt considerations about water treatment.
Does Plumbing Material and Age Affect Arsenic Levels in Your Home?
Arsenic in water originates mainly from natural sources in the aquifer. Unlike metals like lead or copper, arsenic levels are not influenced by household plumbing materials or the age of pipes. While older plumbing can contribute other water quality issues, arsenic concentration arriving at your tap is primarily set by the source water. Therefore, focusing on plumbing changes will not reduce arsenic levels.
Why Are Secondary Aesthetic Standards for Arsenic Different From Health-Based Limits?
For some water constituents, secondary standards relate to taste, staining, or corrosion, but arsenic is regulated by a health-based limit. In Pierce County’s aquifer 112GLCV, none of the sampled wells recorded arsenic concentrations above the federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 ug/L. The detected levels are well below this threshold, indicating the government’s monitoring does not flag a public health violation in this area’s groundwater. However, individual well water testing is necessary to confirm your household’s exact arsenic level.
What Are the Consequences of Leaving Arsenic Untreated Over Years?
Long-term exposure to arsenic above federally established limits can increase risks for certain health effects. Since the sampled concentrations in this aquifer are below those limits, the documented regional data does not imply immediate health risks. Still, if your household water contains arsenic near or above the MCL, consistent exposure over years is a concern and merits treatment consideration to reduce arsenic before consumption and use.
How Should You Proceed to Identify and Confirm Your Water’s Arsenic Status?
Begin with simple steps to rule out other common water quality issues, such as hardness or iron staining, which are unrelated to arsenic. Then, proceed to collect a certified laboratory water test specifically measuring arsenic concentration in your own well or source. This test is critical because government area statistics cannot determine the arsenic level in any individual household’s water.
How Is Arsenic Different From Other Commonly Confused Water Quality Problems?
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element, distinct from common aesthetic or secondary water issues like hardness minerals, iron, or sulfur compounds. Its presence does not typically cause immediate taste or odor issues but requires specific testing. Unlike aesthetic problems, arsenic removal technologies must target this contaminant specifically rather than relying on general filtration methods.
Once you have obtained a laboratory test confirming arsenic presence in your water, one documented treatment available is the Pentair Arsenic Filter, which ships ready to configure for residential use. This system addresses arsenic through its specialized filtration process, providing a solution tailored to reduce arsenic levels effectively.
The best next step is to order a certified arsenic test for your household water. A result at or below the federal limit would generally mean no urgent treatment need based on arsenic content, while a higher concentration would justify considering an arsenic filtration system designed for home use.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2016-09-06. 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 112GLCV aquifer (Pierce County): 10 results from 7 wells, median 0.33 ug/L, range 0.08-2.5 ug/L; none above any federal threshold
- ✓ 90-Day Money-BackNo restocking fees — return within 90 days.
- ✓ Manufacturer WarrantyGenuine Fleck · Pentair · VIQUA equipment.
- ✓ Free Expert SizingTalk to a specialist and buy the right system the first time.