Arsenic May Be Seeping Into Drinking Water Of NJ Homes: Study

NEW JERSEY — Systems designed to filter arsenic out of private wells at some New Jersey homes may actually be leaking amounts of the element back into the drinking water supply, according to new research.

Researchers at the Rutgers School of Public Health recently tested the water of 62 New Jersey homes with whole-house arsenic-removing water treatment systems and found the systems may be malfunctioning, according to a study published in the journal Water Environment Research.

Their findings revealed that microparticles of arsenic water treatment media or water softener resin had escaped the treatment system in 71 percent of tested homes, meaning the home's drinking water likely contains high concentrations of adsorbed arsenic.

"These water treatment systems may be solving one exposure problem by removing dissolved arsenic from the water, but potentially creating a new exposure, the ingestion of arsenic treatment media with high concentrations of arsenic," study co-author Steven Spayd said.

While arsenic is a naturally occurring element in rocks, soils, groundwater, and well water, it is also a known carcinogen, according to the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey. It is most commonly found in many of the bedrock aquifers of Central and North Jersey.

Due to the presence of arsenic, New Jersey homes with wells are required to be tested for arsenic when sold. If the element is found above safe levels for drinking water, an arsenic treatment system can be installed.

When using a treatment system, well water flows through a specialized filter that absorbs arsenic. When the system is functioning correctly, the water treatment media and the filtered arsenic are left behind in the treatment tank while potable water flows into the home, according to Smart Water Magazine.

While researchers said further study was needed to determine why treatment systems are malfunctioning, homeowners were encouraged to install a post-treatment sediment filter.

The most immediate solution to elevated arsenic in drinking water is to switch to bottled water for all drinking and cooking. Simple water filters such as activated carbon filters and boiling water do not effectively remove arsenic.

More information on arsenic in New Jersey well water and treatment options is available online.