Dewey - Most Polluted Place in U.S.A. (Prescott: insurance, houses)

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by DellNec

People like to dismiss my threads but these are legit and serious issues...The mining that was done in that area has left most of the wells completely contaminated.

Originally Posted by DellNec

AZ Well Owners Help—Naturally Occurring Well Water Contaminants

The article cited identifies the problem as a naturally occurring contaminant, not the result of mining. You just disproved your own theory.

[keninaz]

There you go again, but just the facts

[Esenjay]

It was also not stated that there are treatment methods for point of use (at the tap) and point of entry (into the house) to reduce/remove the arsenic from the water, if a well has a high level of arsenic. So again, spouting the problem without indicating any solutions (maybe I intended that pun).

For anyone who wants more information on the nature of the problem--including potential solutions--here's a link.

EPA Arsenic in the Water

[wretched wrench]

Originally Posted by Kimballette

The article cited identifies the problem as a naturally occurring contaminant, not the result of mining. You just disproved your own theory.

No, the article cited is titled, "Naturally Occurring Well Water Contaminants", and addresses only that subject.

It does inot state or even imply that "the problem" of arsenic in water is exclusively from natural sources, and not the result of mining.

Arsenic in water can come from natural sources OR mining. Examples abound nationwide. Some areas, such as Vermont, have lots of arsenic and no mining. South Dakota has arsenic solely from mining activities. AZ has a mix of both.

Attempts to prove the cause of any particular area's arsenic are not always clear, but there are arsenic concentrations in areas where there has been no gold mining. ......Did you look at the AZ arsenic map I linked earlier?

[Esenjay]

There are ways to deal with arsenic in the water, or if somebody doesn't want to deal with the problem they could find a place that is on city water instead of well water, so the water is already treated before being piped out to their residence.

Arsenic is an issue but it's not without solution, just like so many other issues.

[DellNec]

Originally Posted by wretched wrench

No, the article cited is titled, "Naturally Occurring Well Water Contaminants", and addresses only that subject.

It does inot state or even imply that "the problem" of arsenic in water is exclusively from natural sources, and not the result of mining.

Arsenic in water can come from natural sources OR mining. Examples abound nationwide. Some areas, such as Vermont, have lots of arsenic and no mining. South Dakota has arsenic solely from mining activities. AZ has a mix of both.

Attempts to prove the cause of any particular area's arsenic are not always clear, but there are arsenic concentrations in areas where there has been no gold mining. ......Did you look at the AZ arsenic map I linked earlier?

Thank you!

Yes, arsenic can be naturally occurring or caused by mining. It depends on the area. The places in Dewey and Mayer, according to the EPA, the arsenic in the water is due mostly to mining. In Chino Valley and Paulden, the main reason for arsenic is naturally occurring.

When my friend was buying that lot in Chino, I told him to make sure to test the well before he bought. He said he talked to the Realtor who insured him that they never heard of arsenic in that area. Well, sure enough, there was arsenic. I told him, do you think a Realtor will admit to buyers that your Chino home sits on top of one of the biggest earthquake fault line in Arizona? I think not.

Knowledge is power. An informed buyer is a smart buyer. With arsenic, that is something that can kill you and your family.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by wretched wrench

No, the article cited is titled, "Naturally Occurring Well Water Contaminants", and addresses only that subject.

It does inot state or even imply that "the problem" of arsenic in water is exclusively from natural sources, and not the result of mining.

My point is the article discusses naturally occurring arsenic, and that is not what the o/p was arguing about. My point was that an article was cited that did not address the claims being made made. Trying to keep people on topic and accountable for statements made. Not an easy task in this forum.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by DellNec

Yes, arsenic can be naturally occurring or caused by mining. It depends on the area. The places in Dewey and Mayer, according to the EPA, the arsenic in the water is due mostly to mining. In Chino Valley and Paulden, the main reason for arsenic is naturally occurring.

Then I suppose I don't understand why you posted a link to an article about naturally occurring arsenic when your current hobby horse is contamination from mines.

[Esenjay]

Whether from mining or natural occurance, it can be dealt with. That's my beef with most of the info posted around here--gloom and doom rhetoric without balanced analysis and suggestions for resolution or compromise. Rarely is there a note about what to do about a problem--the notes are all about (and usually laden with inflated hyberbole) the dire possibilities.

Arsenic will kill you and your family! Really? What if a simple water treatment system is put in between the well and the house--wow, we've just staved off utter devastation and the ruination of America. Think we deserve a nice local brew after a job well done.

Be realistic--if you live off well water you're going to want to treat the water regardless, whether it's because of arsenic or other issues like heavy mineral content, whatever. You don't just dip from the well and expect it to be perfect. That's just horse-puckey.

[wretched wrench]

Originally Posted by Esenjay

Be realistic--if you live off well water you're going to want to treat the water regardless, whether it's because of arsenic or other issues like heavy mineral content, whatever. You don't just dip from the well and expect it to be perfect. That's just horse-puckey.

LOL...In our case, it's steer-puckey. We adjoin State Trust Land on three sides, and cattle abound. I find it interesting that my well has to have 100 ft separation from the septic, but it can be way closer to the Cattle Diarrhea Ward. Fortunately, the CDW on our property is at a slightly lower elevation, and well over 100 ft away.

We use a Berkey filter for our drinking water, and if the arsenic level gets too high, we will add their arsenic filters.

Filtering city water is never a bad idea, either. I have seen very few municipal water supplies that did not taste better when run through a good filter, or combination of filters. When we lived in town, we used a Brita faucet filter and a Pur pitcher, and the taste improved considerably. Glacier is better, too. With both, even melted ice tasted good. At least before the filter elements were outsourced and we switched to Glacier.