Recommendations for Arsenic
in Drinking Water
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Special Well Casing Depth Area for Outagamie and Winnebago Counties - Effective October 1, 2004
Special casing areas have been established by the Wisconsin DNR for specific areas within the arsenic advisory area where naturally occurring arsenic contamination is affecting existing wells. Click here or choose "Special Casing Areas" on the menu at left to find out more.
This document provides a simple overview intended for homeowners in the arsenic advisory area to more properly understand well construction requirements.
Well Compensation
Well construction has a direct bearing on arsenic levels of the water drawn from the well. These recommendations have been developed to minimize arsenic concentrations by reducing the introduction of oxygen and isolating the primary arsenic bearing zones. These recommendations have been very successful in most situations at reducing arsenic concentrations to acceptable levels. How long this will last is dependent on water usage and local geology. Conservation of water is an important factor in keeping arsenic concentrations in wells low.
Construction Specs and Conditions for Arsenic Replacement Wells - (PDF - 5 KB)
Water Treatment
The following list contains Treatment devices approved by the Department of Commerce for the removal of arsenic. Two categories of devices are defined, Point of Use (POU) and Point of Entry (POE). POU devices are used to treat water at the point of use such as a single tap. Distillation units provide safe water in batches while Reverse Osmosis (RO) units can be installed on a single tap. POE treatment systems treat all the water entering the home. All types of systems must be properly installed and maintained to reliably remove the arsenic from your drinking water.
List of Approved Water Treatment Devices and Systems (PDF - 3 KB)
Well Chlorination in Arsenic Sensitive Areas
This new Department brochure answers a number of common questions reguarding chlorination and how it relates to arsenic sensitive areas. The publication also provides a step by step discussion of how to chlorinate a water supply well.
Well Chlorination in Arsenic Sensitive Areas (PDF - 245 KB)
Well and System Maintenance
The DNR is currently formalizing recommendations for well maintenance. Until it is developed consult your local DNR water supply specialist for details on issues involving bacteriological contamination, iron bacteria and well rehabilitation.
Last Revised: Friday November 12 2004
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