In the King house, an ion exchange system now removes arsenic at one spigot. The Kings wanted a system to treat all the water in the house. Such a system was installed, but broke once and pipes leaked in two places. The family was left with a water supply that corrodes the copper pipes and causes appliances to rust. After learning of the problem, Mrs. King urged her neighbors to have their water tested for arsenic, too.
Arsenic contamination is very sporadic and levels fluctuate so widely.
I wish I d done more research. The Stilson family, who built in the area in 1995, knew there were regional concerns about arsenic, but their builder assured them the well was drilled and cased deep enough to bypass the problem. Then, earlier this year, Kevin Stilson noticed that ice from the ice maker was turning orange. The Stilsons contacted the DNR and were offered an experimental whole-house water treatment system. The Stilsons use bottled water for cooking and drinking, and have gotten regular medical checkups.