Arsenic (abbreviated As) is a naturally occurring contaminant found in many ground waters. Arsenic in water has no color, taste or odor. It must be measured by a lab test. Public water utilities must have their water tested for arsenic. You can get the results from your water utility. If you have your own well, you can have the water tested. The local health department or
the state environmental health agency can provide a list of certified labs. The cost is typically $15 to $30. Information about arsenic in water can be found on the Internet at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website: www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html.
There are two forms of arsenic: pentavalent arsenic (also called As(V), As(+5), and arsenate) and trivalent arsenic (also called As(III), As(+3), and arsenite). In well water, arsenic may be pentavalent, trivalent, or a combination of both. Special sampling procedures are needed for a lab to determine what type and how much of each type of arsenic is in the water. Check with the labs in your area to see if they can provide this type of service.
Specially formulated MultiPure Solid Carbon Block Water Filters are very effective at removing pentavalent arsenic. A free chlorine residual will rapidly convert trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic. Other water treatment chemicals such as ozone and potassium permanganate will also change trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic. A combined chlorine residual (also called chloramine) may not convert all the trivalent arsenic. If you get your water from a public water utility, contact the utility to find out if free chlorine or combined chlorine is used in the water filtration system.
The Multi-Pure MP880 Model Water Filters are designed to remove only pentavalent arsenic. It will not convert trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic. The system may remove some trivalent arsenic,however, it has not been evaluated for its ability to remove trivalent arsenic. MultiPure 880 Model Water Filters have been tested in a laboratory to remove pentavalent arsenic. Under lab conditions, as defined in ANSI/NSF Standard 53, the Multi-Pure Water Purification Systems reduced 0.050 mg/L (ppm) pentavalent arsenic to 0.010 mg/L (ppm) (the U.S. EPA standard for drinking water) or less. The performance of the MultiPure Model 880 Water Filter system may be different at your installation. Have the treated water tested for arsenic to check if the system is working properly.
The Multi-Pure Solid Carbon Block Water Filters / water filter component of the Multi-Pure MP880 water filtration system must be replaced as indicated in the Owner's Manual to ensure the system will continue to remove arsenic and other contaminants. The component identification and locations where you can purchase the component are listed in the installation/operation manual.