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Arsenic (abbreviated AS) is a naturally occurring contaminate found in many
ground waters. Arsenic is water that has no color, taste or oder. 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 own 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 US 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 combina-
tion 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.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment systems do not remove trivalent ar-
senic from water very well. RO systems are very effective at removing pen-
tavalent 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 con-
vert 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 system.
The Nimbus Sierra system is designed to remove pentavalent arsenic. It will
not convert trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic. The system was tested
in a lab. Under those conditions, the system reduced 0.30 mg/L (ppm) pen-
tavalent arsenic to 0.010 mg/L (ppm) (the USEPA standard for drinking water)
or less. The performance of the system may be different at your installation.
Have the treated water tested for arsenic to check if the system is working
properly.
The RO component of the Nimbus Sierra system must be replaced yearly to
ensure the system will continue to remove pentavalent arsenic. The compo-
nent identification and location where you can purchase this component are
listed in this installation manual.
E
OWNER'S MANUAL
Arsenic Facts