What is arsenic and where does it come from?
Arsenic occurs naturally in the earth's crust. Most arsenic in drinking water comes from natural rock formations. As water flows through these formations, it can dissolve arsenic and carry it into underground aquifers, streams, or rivers that may become drinking water supplies. Arsenic also can come from human activities, such as mining or smelting ores that contain arsenic. In the past, it was used in commercial wood preservatives and agricultural chemicals.
Drinking water standard for arsenic
For many years, the drinking water standard for arsenic was 50 parts per billion (ppb). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tightened the standard from 50 ppb to 10 ppb in January 2001 for federally regulated (Group A) community and nontransient noncommunity (NTNC) water systems. EPA changed the arsenic standard to reduce people's long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water, which has been linked to chronic health issues.
Washington State adopted the revised arsenic standard January 14, 2004.
- View Arsenic Detections in Washington Public Water Supplies
- Arsenic Treatment Optimization Program (PDF)
Publications
Resources
- Financial Assistance information is available on our Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) page.
External Links to more Arsenic information
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- EPA Arsenic Trade Show
- Area-wide Soil Contamination - Ecology
- Arsenic Info - Ecology
- U.S. Geological Survey - Mapping Arsenic in Groundwater
DOH Arsenic Contacts:
For drinking water and statewide source monitoring questions, call the regional office nearest you:
Southwest Regional Office, Tumwater: 360-236-3030
Northwest Regional Office, Kent: 253-395-6750
Eastern Regional Office, Spokane: 509-329-2100