About half the states in the continental U.S. are in varying degrees of drought, some more serious than others. Typically, the main cause of concern when drought conditions develop is how long it will last, how bad it may get, and if water restrictions will be put into place to address the situation.
However, now there is something else we need to be concerned about. A recent study from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shows that drought conditions can increase the risk of unsafe arsenic levels in private drinking wells.
Private drinking wells are typically found on farms, ranches, and rural areas of the county. However, people in large metropolitan areas may also have their own wells. This can apply to both consumers and commercial facilities, including schools and offices. In these situations, private wells are used for water needs instead of accessing city services.
Here's how it’s happening.
Arsenic can occur naturally in bedrock. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formations when groundwater levels drop significantly. This is precisely what happens during drought conditions. Groundwater is regenerated when rainfall is plentiful but drops during droughts when there is a lack of rainfall.
Another way arsenic finds its way into private wells is through pollution. Some industries in the U.S. release large amounts of arsenic into the atmosphere. With rain and snow, that arsenic falls back to earth, gradually settling into the bedrock where it slowly enters underground water supplies.
Among other health problems, exposure and consumption of varying degrees of arsenic can increase the risk of cancer.
This was uncovered in New Hampshire, which has higher than usual rates of bladder cancer. Nearly half the state's residents use private wells, higher than any other state in the country.
The USGS is increasingly concerned about this situation because, according to a recent study, at any given time, nearly three million Americans are using private wells that, "are likely to have arsenic levels that exceed the federal limits of 10 parts per billion," says Melissa Lombard with the USGS. Further, she suggests that this situation will worsen the longer areas of the country are experiencing drought conditions.
As of March 2021, states with the greatest increase in private well arsenic amounts are Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Following these three states are those with much larger populations, including Texas, California, and Florida. This means that if arsenic develops in private wells in these more populous states, far more people could be at risk of developing health problems.
So, what should people living in these drought areas who get their water from private wells do about this situation? Well, let's start with what they should not do.
According to the CDC, heating or boiling water will not remove arsenic. In fact, the process could increase arsenic levels. Additionally, adding chlorine bleach will not remove the arsenic.
Lombard suggests that public health officials increase private well testing, especially in those areas now experiencing droughts. If arsenic levels are too high, steps can be taken to remove the arsenic, although they can be costly.
She also recommends reducing water consumption. Taking measures to keep the water levels higher in wells decreases the chances of arsenic developing. This means reducing water consumption, primarily by using water more efficiently, is one of the best things we can do right now.
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