Arsenic Presence in Highlands County Groundwater
Residents sourcing water from wells tapping into the 120UFAQ aquifer in Highlands County, Florida, can refer to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data collected from deep wells in the area. Between April 2015 and January 2026, three samples from two separate wells measuring around 1520 to 1530 feet deep showed arsenic concentrations ranging narrowly from 0.22 to 0.28 micrograms per liter (µg/L), with a median of 0.27 µg/L. These results consistently indicate arsenic was detected but always below federal threshold levels established for drinking water.
What This Means for Your Water Safety
It is important to emphasize that these area-wide measurements reflect the arsenic levels found in the aquifer sampled but do not substitute for testing individual household wells. Arsenic concentrations can vary significantly even within the same aquifer due to local geology, well depth, and other factors. Only a certified laboratory test of your own well water can determine your household’s arsenic concentration.
Potential Health Effects of Arsenic
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that, at elevated concentrations, has been linked to various adverse health effects, including skin lesions and increased long-term risk of certain cancers. However, arsenic is regulated with strict maximum contaminant levels to protect public health. When arsenic is present below these regulatory limits, as USGS data shows for Highlands County aquifer 120UFAQ, the water meets established safety standards.
Determining the Appropriate Water Treatment Class
For households evaluating treatment options for arsenic removal, understanding your water’s specific arsenic level is critical. If testing reveals arsenic near or above recommended limits, more robust water treatment systems become necessary. If arsenic is detected but well below limits, less complex or maintenance-intensive options might suffice.
Reverse Osmosis for Residential Arsenic Reduction
A proven technology for arsenic removal at the household scale is reverse osmosis (RO). Reverse osmosis systems operate by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks contaminants including dissolved arsenic. The 1400 GPD Commercial Reverse Osmosis unit available offers a capacity of 1400 gallons per day and includes a 5x40 gallon storage tank, supporting high-demand household needs and ensuring steady availability of treated water.
This technology reliably reduces arsenic concentrations, often to levels below detection, and also improves overall water quality by removing other dissolved solids. Households with arsenic concentrations approaching or exceeding health-based guidelines can benefit from direct purchase of such RO systems, which ship ready to configure for point-of-entry treatment.
Next Steps for Homeowners
- Obtain a certified laboratory test of your own well water to identify arsenic concentration and other constituents.
- Compare your results with federal arsenic standards to assess treatment needs.
- Consider the 1400 GPD Commercial Reverse Osmosis system if arsenic levels require reduction, noting its capacity and ability to handle whole-house demand.
- Maintain routine water testing to monitor any changes in water composition that could affect water treatment effectiveness.
By basing treatment decisions on certified well water analysis and leveraging advanced technologies such as reverse osmosis, homeowners in Highlands County can manage arsenic concerns confidently and maintain safe, quality water for their families.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. 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.
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