Arsenic 

WaterOne has always been in compliance with the Arsenic drinking water regulations and has never detected Arsenic at even the proposed arsenic regulation of 10 parts per billion (ppb). WaterOne's arsenic levels are undetectable at 10 ppb, which has been the detection limit commonly used by KDHE and the District's laboratory.

In 2000, instruments became available that can measure arsenic down to the 1 ppb level. WaterOne sent samples to a lab that can measure at the lower detection limit and arsenic was detected in only one sample right at the detection limit; which makes the result questionable. Arsenic was not detected in the rest of the samples, which means that arsenic was not present at concentrations above 1 ppb. This data, and previous arsenic data, shows that WaterOne is, and has been, well below both the current 50 ppb regulation and
the newly proposed regulation of 10 ppb for over 20 years. 

In an effort to meet more stringent regulations and ensure we are providing the highest quality water, WaterOne is purchasing an instrument that can measure arsenic down to 1 ppb in 2001. 

Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment, being the twentieth most common element in the Earth's crust and the twelfth most common element in the human body. Arsenic is added to the environment by weathering of rocks, burning of 
fossil fuels, and manufacturing. It is widely distributed in nature and is mainly transported in the environment by water. 

Arsenic exposure can cause a variety of adverse effects. The severity of the effect depends on the level of exposure. Acute high-dose oral exposure to arsenic typically leads to gastrointestinal irritations accompanied by difficulty in 
swallowing, thirst, abnormally low blood pressure, and convulsions. Death may occur from cardiovascular collapse at very high doses. 

Evidence exists that long-term exposure to high arsenic levels increases the risk of cancer. When exposure is by inhalation, the primary effect is increased risk of lung cancer. When exposure is by ingestion, the clearest effect is increased 
risk of skin cancer. Evidence also exists that the risk of internal cancer (liver, lung, bladder, and kidney) is also increased through ingestion. 

For most people, the most significant route of exposure to arsenic is through food. Studies by they Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have found that fish and seafood are higher in arsenic content than any other foods and account
for the largest contribution to total arsenic intake in the typical adult diet. 

Ingestion of drinking water can be a source of arsenic exposure. 

Arsenic concentrations are generally highest in groundwater. Surface water concentrations, although generally low, also may be at levels of regulatory concern. 

Higher levels of arsenic tend to be found more in ground water sources than in surface water sources (i.e., lakes and rivers) of drinking water. Compared to the rest of the United States, western states have more systems with arsenic
levels greater than 10 ppb. Parts of the Midwest and New England have some systems whose current arsenic levels are greater than 10 ppb, but more systems with arsenic levels that range from 2-10 ppb. While many systems may not have detected arsenic in their drinking water above 10 ppb, there may be  geographic "hot spots" with systems that may have higher levels of arsenic than the predicted occurrence for that area.. 

In March 1999, the National Research Center (NRC) issued its Arsenic in Drinking Water report. In it, the NRC recommended that the current Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 50 ppb does not protect public health and that the MCL must be reduced. 

Members of the NRC panel expressed concern that reducing the federal standard below 10 ppb is unsupportable. 

The World Health Organization has an arsenic standard for drinking water of 10 ppb. 

On January 22, 2001, the EPA decided to set the new arsenic standard for drinking water at 10 ppb to protect consumers against the effects of long-term, chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency Administrator Christie Whitman announced on 
March 20, 2001, that EPA will propose to withdraw the pending arsenic standard for drinking water that was issued on January 22. The rule would have reduced the acceptable level of arsenic in water from 50 parts per billion to 10 ppb. 

EPA will seek independent reviews of both the science behind the standard and of the estimates of the costs to communities of implementing the rule. A final decision on withdrawal is expected after the public has an opportunity to 
comment. 

More Information: 
For general information on arsenic in drinking water, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791, or see arsenic information on EPA's Safewater website at www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html on the Internet.