I have high arsenic in my water, what should I do? (co-op, safe)

[ygufty]

I have had it tested by Pasco county and it failed the arsenic test. They said it's well over the limit but refused to give me the results on paper, something about their supervisor is the only one who can release it to me. I have a private well with no filtration, just a water softener. What worries me is that I've been using this same well my entire life and it may have always been there. My sister had a hair test and arsenic was at the 97th percentile (in the red), and mercury at the 70th percentile (in the yellow).

We've had the water tested before, but only for bacteria. I didn't know there could be arsenic in rural areas like here. Nobody told me about this. This might explain the numbness patches on our skin that we have from time to time. And maybe the dots I see often. I hope this is reversible!

Now we're drinking bottled water until we can sort this out. They said I might get the full results on monday when their supervisor is there. The mercury test won't be in for three more weeks.


Is this a widespread problem in west Pasco county?

[vaughanwilliams]

Arsenic in groundwater is a natural occurrence caused by the dissolving of minerals and almost every state is affected with it-some a lot worse than Florida.

USGS NAWQA Arsenic in Groundwater

Talk to your county co-op and ask what kind of filtration they recommend. I'd visit a doctor, too.

[jambo101]

Just to be on the safe side i'd start using bottled water for drinking and cooking..
If you've had your water tested it would be important to know the level of arsenic thats in your water, 10ppm is the allowable national standard.
https://www.google.ca/#safe=active&q...+water+florida