Arsenic
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust that is widely distributed in the environment. Arsenic is often found in groundwater, mostly due to natural sources. It is also used in the commercial production of pesticides, herbicides, wood preservatives, ammunition, semiconductors, lasers and solar cells. Other sources of arsenic in water include mining, smelting, wastewater, urban runoff and atmospheric deposition.
The federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L), or 10 parts per billion (ppb), for arsenic was implemented in January 2006. California adjusted its arsenic MCL from 50 ppb to 10 ppb in November 2008.
Golden State Water routinely monitors and tests for more than 230 contaminants, including arsenic, to ensure the water we deliver to customers meets all state and federal drinking water standards. Golden State Water makes water quality information available via annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR).
Water quality test results are directly submitted by the State certified laboratory to the State of California’s Division of Drinking Water (DDW) and recorded on the State’s website for full transparency. Click here to view test results on the DDW website.
As your water provider, we continually invest in water infrastructure, treatment and testing and take great pride in providing you with high-quality, reliable water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Has arsenic been detected in my drinking
water?
A: All water served is below the MCL for arsenic. In 2017,
arsenic was detected at levels below the current MCL in
treated drinking water in 12 of our 37 water systems. Some of
Golden State Water’s groundwater sources contain arsenic levels
above the MCL, and water from those wells is treated using an
oxidation/filtration process that utilizes adsorption onto iron
hydroxides to remove arsenic to levels below the
MCL. Click here to see the most recent results for
arsenic levels detected in our treated drinking water.
The water served to customers in each of Golden State Water’s water systems meets all state and federal drinking water standards for arsenic.
Q: How is arsenic removed from contaminated
source waters?
A: Arsenic can be removed using a number of advanced
drinking water treatment technologies, including ion exchange,
coagulation/filtration processes, membrane filtration and
chemical adsorption using iron oxides. Golden State Water uses an
oxidation/filtration process that utilizes adsorption onto iron
hydroxides to treat its drinking water sources with arsenic
levels above the MCL.