# Presentation: 723017

## EPA Arsenic Web Cast  Arsenic Implementation in NH 

- Bernard Lucey, P.E.
- NH Dept. of Environmental Services
- 10-20-2004

## NH Overview- Where The Need Is

** ****Typical System with Arsenic - very small **
- 300-700’ bedrock well
- Average: 50-75+- customers
**700 Community Systems**
- 10 with arsenic treatment
- 100 systems between 10-49 ppb
**425 NTNC Systems**
- 7 with arsenic treatment
- 30 systems between 10-49 ppb
**Competing ions:  No silica, phosphate, vanadium, sulfate**
**Assumption:  Adsorptive Media for Most Systems**

## NH Policies   

**Professional Engineer Not Required **
- Unless over 1,000 people
**Pilot Study Not Required **
- We are cautiously confident that adsorptive medias will work.
- If empty bed contact time (EBCT) chosen is under 4-5 minutes, the utility is limiting itself to a very few media suppliers.
**V & E**
- No Variances
- Possible Exemption, but unlikely
**Radon Floor Space Evaluation - Future**

## Cooperated with Media Companies  

**Pre-identified those systems with likely arsenic compliance problem**
- Developed arsenic mailing list.
- Shared list with media sales reps. & pump companies
- Private sector sales efforts help to insure that utilities know the problem and have been exposed to at least one solution.
**Agency used mailing list to** **advertise **
- Our own numerous education programs.
- US EPA Demo Treatment project availability

## Arsenic Speciation Equipment

**Agency purchased two 3”x10” anion exchange cartridges, cartridge housings, and valves to allow utilities to do speciation sample collection on each source. **
- Utilities appreciate the help
- Identifies the importance of speciation.
**Speciation:  Two arsenic samples processed                 **
- 1.  Total arsenic
- 2.  Arsenic after anion treatment  =  Ar +3
-           T. Arsenic – Arsenic+3 = Arsenic+5
-       Ex.      35      --        15        =        20

## Speciation Sample Equipment 

## Reducing The Fear Factor, Adsorptive Media 

- Developed a comprehensive list of adsorptive media.  Recently expanded list to include meaningful media characteristics (Capacity(relative), pH dependence, EBCT etc).
- See list in the appendix.

## Reducing The Fear Factor, Tours of Existing Arsenic Systems

**Developed a description of each arsenic treatment installation.**
- Conducted group field tours
- Facilitated individual visits to existing facilities

## Interaction With EPA

**Provided Critique of Arsenic Treatment **
**    ****Design Manual**
**EPA Arsenic Treatment Demo Projects**
- Good staff training
- Good position to counteract utility resistance

## Evaluating Media  

- Provided detailed description to operators of how to conduct a small, 3”x10” cartridge scale, pilot study to determine the cost effectiveness of other adsorptive medias.
- Careful record keeping
- Breakthrough monitoring

## Media  Evaluation 

## Design Criteria -Policy

**1.  Develop an Alternative Supply**
**2.  Bureau Suggests Series Equipt. Configuration **
**	****     **To achieve lowest long term media cost
**3.  Bureau Suggests Preoxidation  **
**	****      **Extends media life
**4.  Spent Media Removal **
**	****      **Sidewall port
- 	      Extra head room above tank if no sidewall outlet
**5.  For Highly Varying TDH - **Flow constrictor or size
-          media tank on initial pump flow
**6.  Place Arsenic T. Before Aeration–**CO2 beneficial

## Arsenic Enforcement 

**Periodic Enforcement Letters:**
- Identifying new MCL
- System likely in violation
- Effective date
**October 2005, Status Survey **
**Orders / Penalties in January 2006**

## Private Well

**News Sidebar.   Always mention the importance of arsenic testing for private wells in all newspaper or TV stories.**
- Lessens the focus on the PWS violation
- Aids the private well owner

- Comments on media
- 1-603-271-2952
- blucey@des.state.nh.us
- Any Questions.