| This study was conducted to provide basic information on the occurrence of arsenic contaminated drinking water sources in Alaska and possible treatment technologies. Public and private water systems were sampled to evaluate the total arsenic concentration, arsenic speciation, and overall water quality. Total arsenic concentrations ranged from below the detection limit to 96.05 ppb. In the majority of the samples, soluble As represented over 75% of the total arsenic. On average, water samples collected in the statewide survey contained 56.6% As (III) and 42.5% As (V). Approximately 50% of the wells tested had iron to arsenic ratios below 10:1.; Four treatment systems were also evaluated in this study. A Multi-Pure Plus-As point of use (POU) system reduced the average arsenic concentration from 49.4 ppb to levels below the detection limit, a reduction of >99.3%. A Kinetico reverse osmosis POU system reduced the average total arsenic concentration from 27 ppb to 13.8 ppb, a reduction of 49.0%. A Culligan reverse osmosis POU system reduced the average total arsenic concentration from 7.56 ppb to 3.53 ppb, a reduction of 53%. An Adedge point of entry system installed in series with a greensand reduced the post-greensand total arsenic concentration from 55.4 ppb to concentrations below the detection limit (>99.2% reduction). |
