Arsenic Reduction Systems for Michigan Well Water
Arsenic in well water is impossible to see, smell, or taste. The only way to know whether it is present is to have your water tested by a certified laboratory. If a test detects elevated arsenic, Besco Water Treatment can outfit your home with a Nelsen Water Solutions Arsenic Reduction System, which uses specialized treatment media to reduce arsenic as water enters the home.
Our expert technicians size and configure each system around the household’s water use and test results. With more than 60 years of experience treating Michigan water, we know that the right solution begins with an accurate diagnosis.
If you’re ready to test your water for arsenic, or need a Nelsen Water Solutions Arsenic Reduction System installed or repaired, call us or reach out online.
Why Arsenic in Well Water Is a Concern in Michigan
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil, and mineral deposits. It can dissolve into groundwater and enter a private well without changing the water’s appearance, taste, or smell. Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy notes that Michigan has naturally higher levels of arsenic in groundwater and recommends that homeowners test their well water for it.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion, or 0.010 milligrams per liter, for public water systems. Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) uses the same level as its health advisory recommendation for private wells. If a private well tests above 10 ppb, EGLE recommends that the water not be used for drinking or cooking until the problem has been addressed.
Municipal water systems must test for arsenic and report the results to customers. Private wells are different: the homeowner is responsible for arranging arsenic-specific laboratory testing and deciding how to treat the water.
Can You Notice Symptoms of Arsenic in Water?
There are no warning signs of arsenic in the water itself. Arsenic does not cause a noticeable color, odor, or taste, and a clear glass of water can still contain it. Physical symptoms are also not a reliable way to identify an arsenic problem.
Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic in drinking water has been associated with skin changes, problems affecting blood vessels and the nervous system, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Very high short-term exposure may cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, or weakness, although EGLE reports that Michigan groundwater has not been shown to contain arsenic at those acutely toxic levels.
Anyone concerned about possible arsenic exposure or arsenic in water symptoms should speak with a healthcare professional. Testing the person and testing the water are separate steps: a medical professional evaluates possible exposure, while a certified drinking-water laboratory determines whether arsenic is present in the well.
How to Remove Arsenic From Water
Removing arsenic requires treatment designed for arsenic and matched to the chemistry of the well. A standard sediment filter, activated carbon filter, ultraviolet purifier, or water softener should not be relied on to reduce arsenic. Boiling is not a solution either. Because arsenic does not evaporate with the water, boiling may increase its concentration.
Common residential options include point-of-use reverse osmosis for drinking and cooking water. Another option is a point-of-entry arsenic water filtration system, like the one from Nelsen that reduces arsenic as water enters your home.
Which Option is Better For Me?
EGLE identifies reverse osmosis and arsenic adsorption media as practical residential treatment methods. The right approach depends on:
- Your water’s arsenic levels
- The form of arsenic present
- Your home’s water demands
- Other water characteristics
This is why Besco does not begin with a one-size-fits-all recommendation. We start with laboratory results and evaluate the conditions that can affect treatment performance. If your home has other well-water problems, you will benefit from a water treatment system that also addresses iron, sediment, pH, or other contaminants.
The Nelsen Arsenic Reduction System
The Nelsen Water Solutions system is an arsenic water filter that uses ResinTech ASM-10-HP, a chloride-form, arsenic-selective hybrid anion exchange resin. Hydrated iron oxide is dispersed throughout the resin. As water passes through the treatment bed, the specialized media captures arsenic. The media is intended primarily for arsenic reduction and can also reduce uranium and certain other trace contaminants.
The ASM-10-HP media has earned the Water Quality Association’s Gold Seal certification for use in potable-water applications. The system specification sheet also identifies the tank and media as WQA-certified components and the control head and bypass as NSF-certified components.
For optimal performance, Nelsen recommends two vessels in a lead-lag configuration:
- The first tank acts as the primary “worker” and handles most of the arsenic reduction.
- The second tank acts as a “polisher,” providing another treatment stage before water reaches the home.
Sample valves before, between, and after the tanks make it possible to monitor raw water, water between the treatment stages, and finished water. When a home needs a higher flow rate, additional systems can be installed in parallel.
Each vessel uses Nelsen’s proprietary 1-inch metered control valve. The valve tracks the number of gallons treated and includes a programmable service reminder that can be set according to time, gallons, or both. This helps Besco plan testing and media service around actual water use instead of relying only on a calendar.
Nelsen Arsenic Water Filtration System Specifications
Nelsen offers two system sizes for different household flow requirements:
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Model
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Service flow rate
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Tank size
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Overall dimensions
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Model
Service flow rate
Tank size
Overall dimensions
NWS-ARSENIC-6
6 GPM
10 x 54 inches
12 W x 12 D x 61 H inches
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Model
Service flow rate
Tank size
Overall dimensions
NWS-ARSENIC-10
10 GPM
13 x 54 inches
15 W x 15 D x 61 H inches
The system has a stated operating pH range of 4 to 8, a minimum media-bed depth of 24 inches, a maximum pressure loss of 25 psi, and a maximum continuous operating temperature of 170°F. The recommended backwash expansion is 50% to 75%. These are manufacturer guidelines rather than universal minimums or maximums. Besco will determine whether the equipment and operating conditions are appropriate for your home.
How Much Arsenic Can this System Reduce?
Under ideal conditions, the manufacturer reports that ResinTech ASM-10-HP can reduce water containing 50 ppb of arsenate to less than 10 ppb for more than 500,000 gallons per cubic foot of treatment media. That figure is a controlled performance benchmark, not a guaranteed service life for every Michigan home.
High pH and high concentrations of silica or sulfate can reduce treatment capacity. Suspended solids, other materials that foul the media, and intermittent operation may also affect performance. The amount of water a household uses matters as well.
Besco evaluates these conditions before recommending an arsenic water treatment system. The goal is to select the correct treatment process, tank size, configuration, and any necessary pretreatment for the home’s actual water, not simply install equipment based on arsenic concentration alone.
Why Michigan Homeowners Choose Besco for Arsenic Reduction
Arsenic treatment is not a good arena for guesswork or generic solutions. Besco has spent more than six decades helping Michigan homeowners understand and treat local water problems. Our WQA-certified technicians explain the test results, recommend a system for the home’s water chemistry, and provide professional installation and ongoing service.
With Besco, you receive:
- A recommendation based on laboratory results and the home’s complete water profile
- Proper system sizing for household flow and daily water use
- Professional installation and startup testing
- Clear guidance about maintenance, media replacement, and retesting
- Long-term service from an established Michigan water treatment company
We can also help when a household needs more than one treatment method. That may include an arsenic reduction system for water entering the home, an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking, or additional filtration for iron, sediment, hardness, or other well-water concerns.
Schedule an Arsenic Water Treatment Consultation
If a laboratory test has detected arsenic in your well water, Besco can help you understand the result and determine the next step. We will evaluate your water chemistry, water use, plumbing, and treatment goals before recommending an arsenic water filtration system.
Contact Besco Water Treatment today to discuss arsenic reduction for your Michigan home.
Arsenic Water Treatment FAQ
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What is the EPA limit for arsenic in drinking water?
The EPA’s maximum contaminant level for arsenic in public drinking water is 10 ppb, which is the same as 0.010 mg/L or 10 micrograms per liter. EGLE uses 10 ppb as its health advisory recommendation for private wells. Its guidance says not to use private well water above that level for drinking or cooking.
Is arsenic common in Michigan well water?
How do I know if there is arsenic in my well water?
You cannot identify arsenic by looking at, smelling, or tasting the water. You need an arsenic-specific analysis performed by a certified drinking-water laboratory. A routine home water test or hardness test may provide useful information for treatment design but does not replace certified arsenic testing.
Can you cook with arsenic water?
Michigan EGLE recommends that water containing more than 10 ppb of arsenic not be used for drinking or cooking. Use bottled water or another safe source until treatment has been installed and follow-up testing confirms that the treated water is below the recommended level.
Can arsenic be filtered from well water?
Yes, but an ordinary sediment or activated-carbon filter is not enough. Arsenic adsorption media, point-of-use reverse osmosis, and certain whole-house treatment systems can reduce arsenic when properly selected and maintained. The right solution depends on the arsenic concentration and other water conditions, including iron. Besco uses these results to determine whether the Nelson Arsenic Reduction System and any pretreatment are appropriate.
Does a water softener remove arsenic?
No. A water softener primarily removes hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Michigan EGLE states that standard water softeners and activated-carbon filters do not reduce arsenic effectively. A home with both hard water and arsenic may need separate treatment stages.
Does boiling water remove arsenic?
No. Boiling kills certain germs, but it does not remove chemical contaminants such as arsenic. It can leave the arsenic more concentrated as some of the water evaporates. Use a safe alternative source for drinking and cooking until effective treatment has been installed and verified.
Should I test my well for arsenic every year?
Not necessarily. Michigan recommends testing private wells for arsenic every three to five years, while annual testing is recommended for bacteria, nitrate, and nitrite. Test sooner if your well changes, nearby conditions raise new concerns, or your local health department recommends it. After installing an arsenic reduction system, test the treated water as directed to confirm that the system continues to work properly. Review Michigan’s well-testing recommendations.