Arsenic (Limit = 0.010 mg/l)
Arsenic occurs naturally in New England’s and other areas of New England. In fact, arsenic was mined commercially in New England’s during the 1800s. Arsenic also occurs as a result of human activities. Activities that could have left arsenic residuals include apple orchard spraying and coal ash disposal.  Generally is not possible to predict if a well will have elevated arsenic. Arsenic has no smell, taste or coloration when dissolved in water, even at high concentrations. Only water quality testing can determine its presence and concentration in well water.  Arsenic has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a human carcinogen (cancer causing agent.) Long term exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, immunological disorders, diabetes and other medical issues. On February 22, 2002 a new EPA rule for arsenic in drinking water became effective. This new Limit is 0.010 mg/l, the old limit was 0.050 mg/l.  This new rule is final, and became fully enforced on all public water systems in January of 2006.  New England’s DES recommends that at least two tests be processed before concluding the well's arsenic concentration, as well water quality can change due to many factors.