A private well offers a steady supply of clean water to your home for drinking, bathing, cooking, and other daily tasks. However, it’s important that you test your well water system for contaminants, since arsenic is common throughout the state of Washington. Below, you’ll find a helpful guide on all you need to know about this compound and how to stay safe.

How Arsenic Affects Water Quality

Arsenic is a metal that occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust but is hazardous to humans in elevated quantities. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning may include facial swelling, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In more serious instances, you may experience nerve damage, internal bleeding, or coma. Long-term exposure can increase the risk of cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes. 

Since arsenic used to be included in pesticides and metal-refining processes, it’s sometimes present in the soil in Washington. Your well may be more susceptible to contamination if you live on or near agricultural land. This element may enter your well water system via storms, soil leaching, and runoff.

How to Purify Your Supply

Since arsenic levels may exceed 10 parts per billion in private well water systems throughout the state, it’s important that you test your supply regularly. Schedule this service biannually, once in the early spring and once in the late summer, since levels may change due to different weather conditions.

If your supply is contaminated, professionals will recommend installing a water well treatment system. These devices use Filtration, osmosis or distillation to remove the material from your water, making it safe to consume.

Keep your water quality safe with help from the team at Fogle Pump & Supply in Spokane, Deer Park, Colville, and Republic WA. For nearly four decades, they have provided well water testing and treatment systems to improve the flavor and quality of your supply. They offer a range of products to deliver the best results for your home. Visit their website to learn more about water testing and treatment or call (800) 533-6518 to schedule an appointment.