There is a lot of debate on whether or not homeowners in Northern Nevada should be concerned with arsenic in their private wells. We put together this simple video that presents nothing but statistics that cannot be argued as they are facts. The bottom line is: Arsenic is a known carcinogen. Nevada has the highest levels and occurrence of arsenic in private wells of anywhere in the country.
The Do’s:
-If you have a private well in Northern Nevada, DO have it tested for arsenic by a certified lab so you know what the levels are.
-If you come back at a low level, DO your own research and make an informed decision on whether or not your water is safe to drink or if you should consider filtering it before consumption or bathing in it.
-DO consider others that use the water in your household. Because arsenic affects everyone differently, some might be having unexplained health issues while everyone else in the household is healthy. Children and pets can be especially susceptible to arsenic.
-DO continue to test your well every few years. Water quality can change and water testing has only gotten more accurate and more affordable.
The Do NOT’s:
-Do NOT listen to your neighbor who has “been drinking it for 30 years, and it hasn’t killed them yet”.
-Do NOT listen to those who say “the safe level was 50 ppb ten years ago, and the government lowered it for no good reason”. We would still use lead-based paint by that logic. Safe levels of arsenic have always been zero. The mandated level was lowered due to the practicality and affordability of testing and treatment improving. Hooray technology!
-Do NOT buy a water filter for arsenic online without a clear written guarantee of how well it will work and for how long. Online companies are notorious for selling a system and blaming your well or your water use when it stops working in 6 months.
-Do NOT accept the test that the seller of the home provided you from 12 years ago when everything was fine. Water quality can change, and a current test result is an accurate test result.
