Maintenance consists of replacing the alumina periodically, about every one or two years depending on water quality. The old cartridges, or loose alumina may be disposed of with your household trash since the arsenic will not leach out of the alumina once adsorbed. It should be noted that alumina also removes fluoride and uranium. Anion exchange is similar to conventional water softening. In this case, chloride is added to the treated water as the negatively-charged molecules are removed.
Anion exchange increases a water corrosiveness by removing alkalinity.
Thus, plumbing fittings should be lead free. Iron Treatment Systems Iron is a very common water quality constituent that causes staining of water use fixtures and clothing. The efficiency of arsenic removal in this option varies substantially with the water's quality and the precise type of treatment. If water quality tests have shown that the water has both an elevated concentration of arsenic and iron, any rusty colored, untreated water is likely to have very high arsenic levels and should not be consumed. Once proven to be effective, sampling frequency can be reduced.