1. Updates from USGS Joe Ayotte, USGS New England Water Science Center
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey

2. Recent arsenic-related work
By the numbers:
232 wells spatial random selection
70% kitchen; 30% spigot or pres. Tank
17% had As>10 (50,000 people)
5% had Mn>300
3% had U>30
3% had Pb>30 (9,000 people)
92% drink and use their water
34% had some form of treatment
44 (19%) = softener,
25 (11%) = sediment,
4 (2%) = arsenic-specific
0 uranium- or lead-specific

3. Alternative water supplies - proposed
TO BASEMENT
134
20 to 25
FEET
118
15 to 20
102
126
130
132
116
137
105
128
120
123
124
122
110
108
106
138
112
114
104
142
Patent Pending, U.S. Patent Application 14/488,097

4. Where are we now?
Arsenic testing is increasing in response to efforts like those of the Consortium.
Not clear whether citizens are treating water supplies, maintaining treatment, and testing treated water.
There remain impediments to testing, treating, maintaining, and re-testing water.
New wells still installed in formations that yield high-arsenic wells.

5. Cornwall, UK
Ander, E. L.; Watts, M. J.; Smedley, P. L.; Hamilton, E. M.; Close, R.; Crabbe, H.; Fletcher, T.; Rimell, A.; Studden, M.; Leonardi, G., Variability in the chemistry of private drinking water supplies and the impact of domestic treatment systems on water quality. 2016; Environ Geochem Health; p 1-20
Even where the tap waters are considered to be treated, they may still fail one or more drinking water quality standards.
Residents willing to accept drinking water with high metal concentrations.
Need to reinforce the guidance to private water supply users even in areas where treated mains water is widely available.

6. Maine, USA
Smith, A. E.; Lincoln, R. A.; Paulu, C.; Simones, T. L.; Caldwell, K. L.; Jones, R. L.; Backer, L. C., Assessing arsenic exposure in households using bottled water or point-of-use treatment systems to mitigate well water contamination. Sci Total Environ 2016, 544,
Mitigation not fully effective: still relation between urinary arsenic and well water arsenic.
Treating would result in up to 32% reduction for children and up to 59% reduction for adults.
Results demonstrate the importance of complying with a point-of-use or bottled water

7. 2015 STOTEN special issue on arsenic
Chappells, H.; Campbell, N.; Drage, J.; Fernandez, C. V.; Parker, L.; Dummer, T. J., Understanding the translation of scientific knowledge about arsenic risk exposure among private well water users in Nova Scotia. Sci Total Environ 2015, 505,
Flanagan, S. V.; Marvinney, R. G.; Zheng, Y., Influences on domestic well water testing behavior in a Central Maine area with frequent groundwater arsenic occurrence. Science of The Total Environment 2015, 505 (0),
Flanagan, S. V.; Marvinney, R. G.; Johnston, R. A.; Yang, Q.; Zheng, Y., Dissemination of well water arsenic results to homeowners in Central Maine: influences on mitigation behavior and continued risks for exposure. Sci Total Environ 2015, 505,
Spayd, S. E.; Robson, M. G.; Buckley, B. T., Whole-house arsenic water treatment provided more effective arsenic exposure reduction than point-of-use water treatment at New Jersey homes with arsenic in well water. Sci Total Environ 2015, 505,
Cost, optimism bias, non-specific warnings, not understanding risk, lack of mitigation guidance, difficulty comparing treatment companies & options, lack of post testing

8. Is exposure being reduced?
MAINE: The fact that participants reported use of any untreated water challenges the prevailing assumption that private well owners with elevated arsenic in well water will be consistently compliant with using POU systems or bottled water.
CORNWALL: There is considerable literature developing on the inhibitions that exist to installing and maintaining treatment systems, even in areas with a greater proportion of high As concentrations than found in this study.