Arsenic may lurk in well water

GARDNERVILLE, NEV. " When Johnson Lane resident Patrick Martin had a question about his well water, he was advised to have it checked.

"I went up to Carson and got the bottles and sent them to the Nevada State Health Department," Martin said.

What he found out surprised him.

The results came back 74 parts per billion arsenic, more than seven times the 10 parts per billion standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency. His well man, Tony Kawchack suggested he have it rechecked, which showed a decrease to 60 parts per billion, still well over the limit.

"I'm concerned about kids drinking the water out here," he said. "People should get their water tested."

Arsenic in private wells isn't tested or regulated like it is in municipal drinking water systems. Most Douglas water systems outside of Lake Tahoe receive get their water out of the ground, along with minerals such as arsenic.

Judy Neubert of the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection said that arsenic occurs naturally, and is relatively common in the West.

She said it's a good idea for private well owners to check their water every three years.

"Naturally occurring contaminants don't change much over time, but when we go into severe drought conditions the quality of the water may change."

Arsenic in drinking water can't be detected by looking or tasting it, even in high amounts

Health risks for people who drink water containing high amounts of arsenic over several years include skin damage, circulatory system problems and an increased chance of cancer. Some studies have shown that high levels of arsenic in the drinking water can slow the development of children's brains. But there aren't many places in the United States where the arsenic is that high. Before it opened its arsenic treatment plant water in Fallon tested as high as 100 parts per billion.

Until three years ago, when the standard decreased from 50 parts per billion to 10, Martin's well wouldn't have been that far off the mark.

Jennifer Carr, chief of the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, said typically people put a reverse osmosis unit in the sink, a solution Martin plans to use.

Because it's difficult to absorb arsenic through the skin, bathing or washing dishes in water with high levels isn't dangerous.

Carr said the state encourages people to have a plumber install the unit. She said trying to treat all the water in a home can be expensive.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, dropping water levels in wells may result in the release of arsenic.

The EPA has a Web site devoted to arsenic in private drinking water wells. Private wells are not regulated by the EPA. According to the federal government 15 percent of people in the United States have their own drinking water supplies.