Arsenic is released into groundwater as bedrock and minerals break down over time. Unlike many contaminants, it usually comes from nature, not from a spill or a pipe. Levels can differ a lot between neighboring wells, so one home’s test result doesn’t tell you about the next home.
The EPA classifies arsenic as a known human carcinogen. Long-term exposure through drinking water is linked to skin problems, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer. Because the effects build up over years, you can drink affected water for a long time without noticing anything.
Arsenic has no taste, color, or smell. The only way to know if it’s in your water is to test it. If you’re on private well water, or you’re not sure what’s in your water, have it tested by a certified lab. We can help you through that process and explain your results.
If your test shows arsenic, Culligan New Hampshire can recommend a whole-house system built for well water:
