Arsenic Fact Sheet - Culligan Gold Arsenic Series Owner's Manual

Arsenic
Fact Sheet
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Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring contaminant found in many ground waters. It generally occurs in two
forms (valences or oxidation states): pentavalent arsenic (also known as As(V), As(+5), and arsenate) and
trivalent arsenic (also known as As(III), As(+3), and arsenite). In natural ground water, arsenic may exist
as trivalent arsenic, pentavalent arsenic, or a combination of both. More information about arsenic and
its toxicity can be found at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Toxicological Profile
on Arsenic website at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs2.html, and at the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency website at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html.
Arsenic does not generally impart color, taste, or smell to water; therefore, it can only be detected by a
chemical analytical test. Public water supplies are required to monitor delivered water for arsenic (trivalent
arsenic plus pentavalent arsenic) and the results are available to the public from the utility. Consumers
using private water sources will need to make arrangements for testing. An arsenic test usually costs about
$15-30, and it is recommended that the test be conducted by a certified laboratory. Local health depart-
ments or environmental protection agencies can help provide consumers with a list of certified labora-
tories. Some laboratories may also be able to analyze specifically for (speciate) the form(s) of arsenic
present in a water sample if requested.
The Culligan Smart Filter Arsenic Reduction Automatic Water Conditioner is designed to reduce arsenic:
both pentavalent and trivalent forms of arsenic. This treatment system was tested under laboratory condi-
tion as defined in NSF/ANSI 53 Drinking Water Treatment Units - Health Effects and was found to reduce
influent arsenic challenge concentration 0.050 mg/L arsenic consisting of either pentavalent or trivalent
arsenic in the test water to less than 0.010 mg/L, for tested treatment capacity: 75,000 gal for 10",
100,000 gal for 12", and 200,000 gal for 14" gallons of delivered water, the life of the system under
standard testing conditions. Actual performance of the system may vary depending on specific water
quality conditions at the consumer's installation. Following installation of this system, the consumer should
have the treated water tested for arsenic to verify that arsenic reduction is being achieved and the system
is functioning properly.
The arsenic removal component of this system must be replace at the end of its useful life of 75,000 gal
for 10", 100,000 gal for 12", and 200,000 gal for 14". The replacement component can be purchased
from your local Culligan dealer.