Anchorage Daily News

WASILLA -- Matanuska-Susitna Borough and school district officials are planning to spend thousands of dollars in the coming months to lower the level of arsenic, a common element found in soil, from public water supplies.

Elevated arsenic levels, in violation of federal limits, have been detected at Willow Elementary, the Willow Area Community Center and the Talkeetna Water and Sewer system, state environmental and school district officials said last week.

The violations are not the result of any spike in arsenic levels, said state Department of Environmental Conservation compliance officer Tee Little. Rather the systems are out of compliance because of new federal standards that are stricter about how much arsenic is allowed in public drinking water systems. Several area businesses and subdivisions are also affected by the new rule.

In some cases, like in Talkeetna, the level of arsenic in the water exceeds the new standard by the miniscule amount of just one part per billion.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency in 2006 cut its "safe" standard from 50 parts per billion down to 10 ppb for public wells -- wells that serve 15 locations or 25 of the same people for more than six months a year.

To put that in perspective, imagine one drop of water in a 55-gallon drum. That's one part per million. The new regulation amounts to 10 drops of water in 1,000 55-gallon drums, or a few drops in an Olympic-sized swimming pool

The levels reported in the Willow and Talkeetna systems -- up to 26.6 ppb and 11 ppb respectively-- could pose a slight risk to those with compromised immune systems or if a person drank the water over a matter of decades, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

On its Web site, the EPA states that some people who drink water in excess of 10 parts per billion over many years may see skin damage, circulatory problems and may have an increased cancer risk. It estimated that the new lower level nationwide would eliminate 16 to 26 non-fatal lung or bladder cancers each year and 21 to 30 fatal cancers of the same type.

State environmental officials are not requiring public water suppliers with levels over 10 ppb to hand out bottled water or provide an alternative water source. Operators are, however, required to post information about the health effects of higher-than-allowed arsenic levels, including a warning that people who have compromised immune systems should consult their doctors before drinking.

According to the EPA, 967 water systems nationwide serving more than 1.3 million people were out of compliance with the new arsenic rule as of December 2008. That list includes eight water systems in Alaska affecting more than 1,400 people, most located in the Valley.

Ben Winkler, who manages Mat-Su Water, said his business has sold about four dozen arsenic treatment systems in 2008, including some in Anchorage. Some were installed in businesses or business complexes such as Three Bears discount grocery in Meadow Lakes. But many are in subdivisions with community water systems, he said.

Winkler said the potential cost of treatment can be pricey, especially for those with limited funds like homeowner associations in charge of subdivision water systems.

"Engineering estimates for remediation can run $50,000 to $100,000," Winkler said.

The cost of treatment depends on a lot of factors, he said. For some, a new well is the least-expensive answer. For others, more intensive treatment like installing a filtration system is required. The federal standards do not apply to private wells, but homeowners can likely treat the problem for between $400 and $4,000, Winkler said.

For the borough, the too-high levels have already meant spending $10,000 and will mean spending thousands of dollars more to either drill new wells or install expensive filtration systems.

Mat-Su Borough operations specialist Chuck Jacobs said he outlined a plan with DEC officials earlier this month to address the Talkeetna water supply within two years. Jacobs said the water supply recently tested at 11 ppb, just above the allowed level.

Little said DEC typically gives water system operators up to 18 months to lower their arsenic level once a system has officially been declared out of compliance.

Jacobs said the borough is testing a second community well as a possible water source. If that also has high arsenic levels, a system that sprays air into the water and filters it would be the backup plan. The estimated price tag would be around $100,000, he said.

Jacobs hopes to avoid more invasive treatment, such as adding and removing chlorine, which could draw objections from residents.

Willow, on the other hand, has had arsenic issues in the past. Jacobs said water there has previously tested at around 50 ppb.

The borough is working on a filtering solution for the Willow Area Community Center water system. It may be installed early this year, officials said.

School district spokeswoman Catherine Esary said the district already spent $10,000 to drill a second well for Willow Elementary School, but its water tested out of the allowed range. The current 26.6 ppb level at the school is more than double what EPA now allows.

Maintenance officials are planning a filtering system that will likely cost around $15,000, she said. The system will likely be installed in late winter or early spring after the state Department of Environmental Conservation approves the remedy.

Find Daily News reporter Rindi White online at www.adn.com/contact/rwhite or call 352-6709.

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