6 Best Water Filters to Remove Arsenic (*Update 2023)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Sep 15, 2023
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Top Pick
The best water filter to remove arsenic in 2023 is the Clearly Filtered Pitcher. It is NSF-tested to remove 98.3% arsenic among hundreds of other contaminants for 100 gallons of water. It is also easy to set up and use, affordable to maintain, and backed by a lifetime warranty and a satisfaction guarantee.
No one knows how many water filter models are out there really, and only same are suitable for removing arsenic. But even with them, not all are created equal. Long story short, it can be challenging to find an effective arsenic water filter that’s right for your water conditions.
Fortunately for you, we are here to assist you in making the right purchase decision. Out of more than 30 potential candidates, we gathered the top 6 for arsenic removal…
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
Right now, our evaluation process is based on these key factors: Arsenic 3 and arsenic 5 reduction rates (30%), price tag and yearly expenses (25%), our own testing and user opinions (20%), filter life (15%), customer service & product warranty (10%).
AquaTru – Best for Reverse Osmosis Water Purification
1. Best for Whole House: Crystal Quest Arsenic Water Filter
In our opinion, the best water filter to remove arsenic in 2023 is the Crystal Quest Arsenic Whole House Water Filtration System.
That’s because it uses iron oxide-based filter media to reduce up to 99% of total arsenic from water, possibly below detectable levels.
FYI: Total arsenic means both forms of arsenic occurring in water are being targeted (arsenic 3 a.k.a. arsenite, and arsenic 5 also called arsenate) –this is key if you want truly clean and healthy water in your entire home.
Crystal Quest Arsenic Whole House Water Filtration System
Price:
$$$
Type:
Whole House
Ability to Remove Arsenic:
Up to 99%
NSF:
–
Warranty:
1 Year
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
First, a sediment pre-filter removes larger particles like sand and dirt to protect the large mineral tank from clogging.
At filter stage 2, the arsenic reducing tank comes into play. Crystal Quest’s proprietary Eagle Arsenic Oxide removes up to 99% of all arsenic from water through a combination of adsorption, adhesion, and solid-solution formation. No chemicals or regeneration required.
Lastly, an activated carbon block post-filter traps volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, insecticides, and industrial solvents for healthier and great-tasting water.
Choose from 2 whole house water filter sizes:
1.5 cubic feet resin system provides 750,000 gallons of filtered water at 9-11 gallons per minute flow rate (1-3 bathrooms).
2.0 cubic feet resin system provides 1,000,000 gallons at 10-13 gpm (4-6 bathrooms).
Optional: Stainless steel casings for durability.
Optional: Water softener to tackle water hardness.
Optional: SMART water filter using special blend of coconut-shell granular activated carbon and catalytic carbon + two types of KDF filter media + anion exchange resin to filter out any remaining chemicals like chlorine and chloramine, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and more.
Ceramic and Tourmaline balls are used to balance water pH and reach alkalinity.
System installation is “easy and clear with solid instructions”.
The pre- and the post-filter need replacement every 12-18 Months. Average annual cost: ~$40-60 USD – highly affordable!
As a company, Crystal Quest is reliable and customer support is A+.
1-year limited warranty.
Cons
Whole house arsenic water filtration isn’t cheap.
Our Rating
Filtering Performance: 5.0/5.0
Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
Price Tag: 4.0/5.0
Yearly Cost: 5.0/5.0
Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Crystal Quest is best for people who want a whole house water filter for removing arsenic.
2. Best Whole House Arsenic System for 1-2 People: Crystal Quest Big Blue
Households with 1-2 people may want to consider using Crystal Quest’s Big Blue Whole House Arsenic Water Filter as an alternative to the much larger system reviewed right on top. It uses filter cartridges instead of a large mineral tank which is why it’s much cheaper upfront.
However, water flow is limited to 4-6 gallons per minute and thus usually doesn’t suffice for homes with 3 or more people. Also, the arsenic removal filter cartridge needs to be replaced every 60,000 gallons. For a 2-person household, that’s about once a year – at roughly $260.00 per cartridge.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
In our opinion, the best arsenic water filter in the pitcher category in 2023 is the Clearly Filtered. Total arsenic reduction: 98.3% according to NSF standardized testing. Total arsenic includes both arsenic 3 and 5.
What’s more, the water filter pitcher is tested to remove more than 365 other contaminants that may be present in your water supply – more than any other pitcher on the market. 5 stars!
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
After setting up the pitcher and using it for a while we really liked this pitcher (…). It tastes really good, it pours easily, it was easy to set up, and I like how it looks on the counter. So it gets 5 stars in my book.
Alexa Gibbons – BOS Video Content Creator
Other Specs
Model: CF-PRF
Last Price: $90
Annual Cost: ~$150
Filter Media: Carbon + Composite Shell
Storage Volume: 80 oz (10 Cups)
Capacity: 100 Gallons
WxHxD: 11.25″x10.25″x5″
Weight (Empty): 2.3 lb
Key Features & Pros
Made in USA!
The Clearly Filtered pitcher combines granular activated carbon with the company’s own Affinity Filtration Technology to eliminate more than 365+ water contaminants: Chlorine (99.5%), chloramines (99.7%), lead (99.3%), chromium 6 (97.8%), arsenic (98.3%), pharmaceuticals (up to 99.9%), pesticides (most to 99.9%), VOCs (most to 99.9%), PFAS (95.0-99.5%), and many more.
NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401, and P473 were met for guaranteed filtration effectiveness.
Provides healthy and great tasting drinking water.
10-cup water storage volume is suited for family use.
Removable lid for easy refilling.
Tritan plastic material is 100% BPA-free.
Quick to assemble.
One filter cartridge serves 100 gallons of water. This is much more than what you get with the competition.
Keeps maintenance low.
Annual replacement cost: ~$150 USD which is okay. Discounts if you buy in bulk/subscribe.
Clearly Filtered offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and limited lifetime product warranty for peace of mind.
Cons
Pricey compared to other filter pitchers.
Our Rating
Filtering Performance: 5.0/5.0
Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
Price Tag: 4.0/5.0
Yearly Cost: 4.5/5.0
Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is best for people who want a POU arsenic filter that’s easy to use, extremely effective, and affordable.
4. Best for Under Your Sink: Clearly Filtered 3-Stage
In the under sink category, the best water filter for arsenic in 2023 is the Clearly Filtered 3-Stage. It has been lab-tested against NSF standards to remove 94.3% of total arsenic in addition to over 200 other potentially harmful substances that you don’t want in your drinking water. Definitely worth checking out!
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
I’m going to give this a 5-star because I think that this it is the nicest product you can get for under-the-sink filter. I can’t believe how much different it made my tap water taste coming out of the faucet. (…) on top of that it was super easy to install and I could do it myself.
Alexa Gibbons – BOS Video Content Creator
Other Specs
Model: 3-Stage Under the Sink Water Filter System
Last Price: $550
Annual Cost: ~$440
Filter Media: Carbon + Proprietary Blend
Stages: 3
Capacity: 2,000 Gallons
WxHxD: 15″x15.4″x3.1″
Fitting: ⅜”
Key Features & Pros
Built in the USA!
3-stage filtration process:
At stage 1, coconut shell GAC removes all kinds of chemicals such as chlorine (98.6%) and chloramines (95.3%), bad taste & odor, and volatile organic compounds among other stuff.
Filter stages 2 and 3 both target the trivalent and the pentavalent form of arsenic, which is what you want. Apart from that, heavy metals like chromium 6 (99.4%) and lead (98.9%), PFAS (>99.6%), radiologicals, and fluoride (90.7%) are eliminated.
System has met the requirements of NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, and 401. This confirms that the under sink water filter performs as advertised.
Provides exceptionally clean water.
Hoses are made from durable stainless steel for longevity.
The non-permanent installation only takes about 10 minutes. Easy!
Inline system simply connects to your existing kitchen faucet.
Thanks to the modular filter design, you can change cartridges with just one twist, no need for tools. Capacity: 2,000 gallons of water or 1 year. Thus, it’s extremely easy to maintain the Clearly Filtered 3-Stage filtration system.
Backed by 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
Limited lifetime warranty? Check!
Cons
Water pressure is likely to decrease by 25-35%.
Domestic manufacturing means higher price tag than competitor models. Replacement filters aren’t cheap either.
Our Rating
Filtering Performance: 5.0/5.0
Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
Price Tag: 4.0/5.0
Yearly Cost: 4.5/5.0
Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Clearly Filtered 3-Stage is best for people looking for an under sink arsenic water filter that’s compact, highly effective, and easy to set up.
5. Best for Countertop/Gravity Arsenic Filtration: Big Berkey with PF-2 Filter Elements
In case you’re looking for a countertop or gravity arsenic removal system, look no further. The Big Berkey is not only the most popular water filter in this category, it’s also the best.
It can be fed from any freshwater source including ponds, stream, and lakes, and produces potable water of exceptional quality – water that tastes great and that meets drinking water standards. This is also ideal in emergency situations.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
The Big Berkey gravity water filter removes a wide range of different water contaminants. This includes chlorine, chloramine, chromium 6, cadmium, lead, mercury, disinfection byproducts, trace pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, volatile compounds, sediments, and even bacteria, cyst, and viruses.
In accordance with NSF 42 and 53-standardized testing.
The optional PF-2 filter elements boost arsenic removal to above 99.9%. Fluoride removal is increased likewise.
The filters get installed in the lower chamber, matched with the regular Black Berkey filters on top.
Berkeys come in several different sizes. The Big Berkey is the most popular and ideal for family use. It stores up to 2.25 gallons of water and produces up to 7 gallons per hour.
Assembling the autarchic filter system is quick and easy.
The standard Black Berkey filter elements provide 3,000 gallons of purified water (up to 3 years). PF-2 fluoride filters last 1,000 gallons per set of 2. Total annual cost: ~$155 which is okay.
The seller offers a lifetime warranty free of charge. Filter elements are backed for 2 years.
Cons
The additional PF-2 filter elements add to the cost.
Filter cartridges need to be re-primed on a regular basis.
Drinking water dispenser might leak.
Our Rating
Filtering Performance: 4.5/5.0
Filter Life: 4.5/5.0
Price Tag: 4.0/5.0
Yearly Cost: 4.5/5.0
Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
The Big Berkey is best for people looking for a gravity filter system capable of eliminating arsenic, and ideal for home use and prepping.
6. Best for Reverse Osmosis Water Purification: AquaTru
The AquaTru reverse osmosis system is the only water filter being part of this guide which was not specifically tested for arsenic reduction.
However, research showed that, applying reverse osmosis, arsenic reduction rates of 98% and higher are realistic. This only applies to arsenic 5 reduction, though. Arsenic 3 reduction varies between 50 and 80%.
As for the AquaTru reverse osmosis water filter itself, it’s NSF-certified for the removal of more than 80 contaminants providing safe drinking water free from unpleasant tastes and odors.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on arsenic removal %, price tag, annual cost, filter capacity, NSF testing, customer support, warranties, user feedback, and our own testing among other factors.
The 3-part filtration system is quite impressive. It really removes everything out of the water. As far as water filtration systems go this will be a very high quality option for you. (…) Overall my review of this system is going to be a 4.5 out of 5.
Alexa Gibbons – BOS Video Content Creator
Other Specs
Model: AquaTru
Last Price: $449.00
Annual Cost: ~$100-120
Primary Filter Media: RO
Stages: 4
Water: 1 Gallon in 10-15 min
Recovery Rate: 80%
Capacity: 600-1,200 Gallons
WxHxD: 12″x14″x14″
Water Temperature: 39-100 °F
Operating Pressure: 40-85 psi
Key Features & Pros
Sediment and activated carbon pre-filter traps large particles to prevent clogging of subsequent filtration stages and adsorbs chlorine taste and odor (96.6%) + several chemicals.
RO membrane rejects heavy metals including lead, fluoride, cyst (99.99%), and total dissolved solids (87.1%).
Carbon filter block reduces organic contaminants, PFAS (97.5%), pesticides, and more.
System has earned 5 NSF certifications: 42, 53, 58, 401, and Protocol P473.
Outstanding test results guarantee pure drinking water.
Built-in pump increase water pressure for faster filtration with less water wasted.
System processes 1 gallon in 10-15 minutes.
Only 20% of input water goes down the drain. (3-5 gallons per 1 gallon filtered is the standard.)
RO water collects in front tank for easy dispensing.
Removable for cooling in refrigerator.
Countertop reverse osmosis system is installation-free which is not only convenient, it also saves you a lot of money. Setup barely takes 5 minutes.
Long lasting filters can be replaced with a simple twist – easy to maintain system.
The AquaTru will tell you when it’s time for a new filter cartridge.
Yearly cost: About $100-120 which is cheap.
Only BPA and BPS-free plastic used.
Everything is covered by 1-year warranty.
Cons
Design issue may cause leaking.
For some people the filtration system stopped working within a few months of use.
Our Rating
Filtering Performance: 4.5/5.0
Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
Price Tag: 4.0/5.0
Yearly Cost: 5.0/5.0
Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
The AquaTru is best for people who want an RO system that’s installation-free, compact, and really effective at reducing arsenic.
Crystal Quest Arsenic Whole House Water Filtration System
$$$
~$40-60
POE
99%
–
Iron Oxide Resin
1-1.5 Million Gallons
1 Year
Point of Entry Water Filtration System Filters Arsenic in Your Water + Heavy Metals, Also for Well Water
Crystal Quest Big Blue Arsenic Water Filtration System
$$
~$260
POE
99%
–
Iron Oxide Resin
60,000 Gallons
1 Year
Filters Arsenic in Your Water + Heavy Metals, Also for Well Water
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Filter
$
~$150
Filter Pitcher
98.3%
42, 53, 401, P473
Carbon + Composite Shell
100 Gallons
Life (Limited)
Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Water Filter System
$$
~$440
Under Sink Filter
94.3%
42, 53, 401
Carbon + Proprietary Blend
2,000 Gallons
Life (Limited)
Big Berkey Gravity Water Filter System
$$
~$155
Gravity Filter
>99.9%
42, 53
Carbon + Ion Exchange + AA
500-3,000 Gallons
2 Years to Lifetime
Also for Well Water
AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Filter
$$
~$100-120
RO
Arsenic 5 (>98%), Arsenic 3 (50-80%)
42, 53, 58, 401, P473
RO
600-1,200 Gallons
1 Year
Removes 87.1% Total Dissolved Solids Including Heavy Metals
Buyer’s Guide: How We Picked the Best Arsenic Removal Systems + What You Need to Consider
The following are things worth considering before you go out and hunt for the best arsenic removal system. These are also the very same criteria we focused on when picking our top products for this guide.
Types of Water Filter Systems and Their Arsenic Removal Capacities
Some contaminants like chlorine are easy to remove from water; arsenic isn’t one of them.
To be more precise, removing one form of arsenic, arsenic 5, is relatively simple. You can do so using a reverse osmosis system for example. But removing the other form, which is arsenic 3, you’ll have much more difficulties.
But it’s doable. You just need the right type of water filter or rather water treatment method. These are:
Oxidation + filtration
Coagulation + filtration
Adsorption using iron oxide
Adsorption using activated alumina
Distillation
Side note: Both anion exchange and reverse osmosis only affect levels of arsenic 5 in water.
You also need to decide if you prefer point-of-use (POU) or point-of-entry (POE) water treatment. As the name suggests, POU filtration provides clean water at a single tap only such as your kitchen sink, whereas POE is a synonym for whole home applications.
If all you want is treat arsenic in your drinking water and nothing else, installing a relatively inexpensive under sink or countertop water filter is the most straightforward solution. Of course, in this case you can’t drink from any faucet in your home but one.
If you insist on whole house water filtration, though, be prepared to invest a bit more for a water treatment solution that really works.
Filtering Other Water Contaminants
It’s unlikely that there is just arsenic lurking in your water supply. So, think about adding additional filtration stages to filter other types of water contaminants.
Flow Rate
In case of whole house water filtration systems, you need to make sure that a system can provide enough water flow to meet your demand even at times of peak consumption.
Otherwise, you might see a drop in water pressure when using multiple water outlets at once.
Filter Life & Maintenance
A longer service life reduces the amount of time and money you need to invest into maintaining your new arsenic removal system. The Crystal Quest Arsenic Whole House System is definitely the top choice here since all that’s required are replacement of the pre-filter and post-filter every 12-18 months. #cost-effective
Your Budget
When you calculate your budget, also take long term expenses into account, especially for new filter cartridges. Oftentimes, the cost is much higher than the original purchase price of a water filter system.
Methodology: Why Trust Us?
In approaching the evaluation of arsenic water filters, we employed a rigorous review process that consisted of intensive research, hands-on testing, and thorough analysis.
We began by selecting 20 essential features to differentiate between effective filters and ineffective ones. Subsequently, we subjected over 30 different systems to comprehensive testing, comparing prominent brands with lesser-known options.
To gain further insights, we conducted covert investigations, scrutinized product manuals, examined product descriptions, and extensively questioned companies. We also relied on certifications and test data from respected organizations like IAPMO and NSF. Through this process, we identified the top 10 arsenic filters that demonstrated exceptional performance.
Additionally, we considered feedback and ratings from real users, ensuring that only the highest-quality filters made it to our final list. We maintained strict standards, excluding any filters that were deemed mediocre.
To delve deeper into the evaluation process, we procured 4 (and counting) of the remaining 6 products and tested them on an authentic tap water supply. We utilized water test kits from Tap Score to verify the accuracy of our results. We assessed the reduction rates of arsenic 3 and 5, as well as evaluated filtration speed, water taste, odor – you get the idea. Each filter was utilized for a minimum of two weeks.
With all the necessary information gathered, we compiled an easily understandable guide. It is important to note that all our ratings and evaluations are conducted independently and without bias. Our content undergoes rigorous fact-checking procedures by our team of professionals to ensure accuracy.
Arsenic is a chemical element that naturally occurs in minerals in the earth’s crust and also in pure crystal form.
Primarily, arsenic is used in batteries and as a semiconductor in electronic devices. It’s also being used for the production of ammunition and, in declining quantities, in the agricultural sector as part of pesticides.
Arsenic in Well Water & City Water
Where Does the Arsenic Come From?
Because arsenic is a natural component in the soil, arsenic contamination in deeper levels of groundwater is a widespread issue that severely affects more than 100 million people all over the world.
As for the US, arsenic is found most often in the ground waters of the southwest.
In some cases, arsenic water contamination is men made and a result of agricultural or industrial runoff.
Map: Arsenic Levels in Private Domestic Wells in U.S. Counties (µg/L, Micrograms Per Liter) – Credit: U.S. Geological Survey
Types of Arsenic in Water
As mentioned earlier, there are two types of arsenic found in water:
Arsenite, also called trivalent arsenic or arsenic 3 – Other forms of spelling are arsenic(III), As(III), and arsenic-3.
Arsenate, also called pentavalent arsenic or arsenic 5 – Other forms of spelling are arsenic(V), As(V), and arsenic-5.
Which of the two you may be facing depends on the amount of oxygen in your water source. Higher oxygen levels usually lead to increased arsenic 5 concentrations and less arsenic 3.
This has to do with oxidation and applies to groundwater but also to municipal water systems which oftentimes treat their water with chlorine for disinfection. Chlorine as a common oxidation agent oxidizes arsenic 3 to arsenic 5.
Health Effects of Arsenic in Drinking Water
Although arsenic 3 is more toxic than arsenic 5, all forms are a serious health risk. That’s why the metalloid was classified as a Group-A carcinogen by the EPA.
Consequently, there currently exists a federal standard that defines the highest level of arsenic allowed in drinking water. It’s set to 10 parts per billion (used to be 50 ppb before January 2001).
However, due to the fact that arsenic is a cancer-causing pollutant the non-enforceable federal health guideline is 0 ppb. The guideline defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment is 0.004 ppb which is considered as not posing a significant health risk.
Speaking of health risks, arsenic is associated with skin, lung, bladder, kidney, and liver cancer. Other health concerns include:
Harm to the central nervous system
Harm to the brain
Cardiovascular effects (increasing the risk of heart disease and strokes)
Diabetes
Skin lesions
Harm to the lungs
Impaired intelligence, behavioral problems, harm to the developing immune system (in case of prenatal exposure)
The good news is, unless your arsenic level is extremely high (over 500 ppb), showering, bathing, and other household uses are safe. Arsenic is not absorbed through the skin, nor does it evaporate into the air.
Food
Did you know that food not water is the main cause for arsenic exposure in our country? In other words, our diets play a major role when trying to reduce the amount of arsenic we ingest on a daily basis.
The biggest culprit: Rice and rice-based processed foods including cereal, pasta, and rice milk. This is because rice plants accumulate arsenic from water and soil.
Testing conducted by Consumer Reports showed that more than 200 samples of rice products contained measurable amounts of arsenic, many at worrying levels, both in inorganic as well as organic forms.
Bottom line: Removing arsenic from your drinking water is a great start, but don’t underestimate the potential impact of your diet.
How to Test Your Water for Arsenic
The easiest way to find out if there is any arsenic present in your tap water is by checking the EWG Tap Water Database. Simply enter your zip code and you will be shown a list of suppliers that serve your area and the surrounding county. Click the name of your utility to learn about all the contaminants detected between the years 2010 and 2015.
Another option is to contact your supplier directly and ask for a free Water Quality Report.
What do you do, however, if you are on a private well? One way to go about this is to reach out to your local health department. The staff should be able to tell you whether or not arsenic is a problem in your area.
If you want absolute certainty you should have a water sample tested by an accredited laboratory. Or you can do the testing yourself. A variety of test kits is available that allow for easy, cheap, fast, and relatively accurate testing. Tip: You want to look out for kits that provide useful arsenic detection levels like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, and 50 ppb.
How to Best Remove Arsenic from Water at Home
Given the fact that tap water contaminated with arsenic is being served to millions of Americans each year – not to mention the people that receive their water from a polluted well – searching for ways to have the toxin removed from our water at home feels like a worthwhile endeavor.
Where to start? First of all, it’s important to distinguish between arsenic 3 and arsenic 5 in the source water. The latter can be removed pretty easily by most filter systems. But arsenic 3 is more soluble and thus requires a more sophisticated approach. Other factors to consider are water flow rate and the presence of other contaminants, primarily iron.
That being said, with arsenic removal the goal should be to reduce your intake from drinking water as much as possible. The following water treatment methods can help you achieve this:
Oxidation + filtration – For iron levels above 0.3 ppm and an iron-to-arsenic ratio of at least 20:1, iron removal processes can be used to get rid of iron AND arsenic.
Coagulation + filtration – For iron levels above 0.3 ppm and an iron-to-arsenic ratio of less than 20:1, coagulation followed by filtration is recommended.
Adsorption using iron oxide – Ideal for iron levels below 0.3 ppm.
Adsorption using activated alumina
Anion exchange – Ideal for iron levels below 0.3 ppm. Arsenic 5 only.
Distillation
Reverse osmosis – Primarily arsenic 5.
Additional pre-treatment may be required, particularly if you are on a private well.
What’s more, you should test the water quality periodically to monitor the levels of arsenic to ensure timely filter media replacements.
Oxidation + Filtration
This basically is an iron removal process. But it works for removing arsenic, too!
Arsenic 3 is oxidized to arsenic 5 as the first step. This can be achieved using chemical additives such as chlorine, ozone, or potassium permanganate. Due to the strong oxidizing properties, contact time is not a critical factor.
The filtering media that follows may consist of sand, sand and coal anthracite, or proprietary products like Pyrolox, Birm, and manganese greensand. Backwashing of the media is required.
Coagulation + Filtration
Coagulation + filtration is a very common and effective method for getting arsenic-free water.
Metal salts, especially iron, are dissolved into the water causing the arsenic to coagulate (bind to the additive). The newly-formed, larger solid particles can then be pressure-filtered. Pressure filters require backwashing.
Adsorption
Next we have adsorption media filters which is the industry standard for arsenic removal.
Using Iron Oxide
Granular iron (hydr)oxide-based media housed in a large tank adsorbs arsenic into its tiny surface pores – similar to how carbon filter media works.
Titanium and different kinds of hybrid media that contain iron-impregnated resin are also highly effective.
The media bed removes arsenic until it’s exhausted. Regular media replacement is mandatory.
Using Activated Alumina
Although more effective at removing pentavalent arsenic, activated alumina (or short AA) adsorption works for both arsenic 3 and 5 with achievable reduction rates of more than 95%.
Additional benefits are that activated alumina will also remove any fluoride that might have been added into your water and which you might be concerned about. Plus, activated alumina is easy to handle because there’s no wastewater and backwashing.
One example of a water filter using AA for arsenic removal: The Berkey, one of the most popular gravity-fed water filters.
Anion Exchange
Similar to a water softener, an anion exchange system relies on a resin bed housed in a large tank to remove the pentavalent form of arsenic from water.
How exactly does the process work? As water passes through the tank, the arsenic replaces chloride ions attached to the resin which becomes exhausted over time.
Eventually, the resin needs to regenerate by backwashing with supersaturated sodium chloride solution. The chloride strips the embedded arsenic molecules of the resin which are then flushed out in the wastewater.
Distillation
Distillation provides the cleanest water of all purification methods.
First, water is heated to its boiling point. As it vaporizes, it leaves almost all contaminants behind including both forms of arsenic and cools down in a cooling coil where it condenses back into its liquid form. The water is then collected in a separate container.
Yes, it does. As studies have shown, reduction rates of more than 98% are realistic. However, this only applies to As(V). Removal of As(III) by reverse osmosis water purification is 50-80%.
Complete removal of As(III) needs pre-oxidation to convert to As(V) which reverse osmosis systems can then filter out. This additional step will increase the cost and complexity of the setup.
Does Carbon Remove Arsenic?
Regular activated and even catalytic carbon filtration won’t help removing arsenic. Removal capabilities are insufficient.
Do Brita Water Filters Remove Arsenic and How About PUR?
Pitcher, dispenser, or faucet units – as far as Brita is concerned, the popular water filters won’t have any effect on arsenic content. Unfortunately, the same goes for PUR.
Does Boiling Water Remove Arsenic?
Unfortunately, heating or boiling water will not remove arsenic. In fact, due to evaporation arsenic concentrations can actually increase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does a water softener remove arsenic in water?
No, water softeners are useless for removing arsenic.
Does ZeroWater filter out arsenic?
Yes, according to ZeroWater, arsenic 3 is removed by 85% and arsenic 5 by 93% after 40 gallons of water filtered.
How much is too much arsenic in well water?
It depends. The federal standard for arsenic in drinking water is 10 parts per billion. For shower and bathing etc., up to 500 ppb should not be a problem.
And keep in mind: We’ll add new reviews of water filters that remove arsenic occasionally. So come back for more!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Gene Fitzgerald has been with BOS since the very beginning. She is head of content creation and has fully immersed herself into the home water treatment industry only to become an expert herself. Outside of BOS, Gene loves reading books on philosophy & social issues, making music, and hiking.
Learn more about Gene and the rest of the BOS Team.
Leave a Comment:
Robert Stachnik says
February 21, 2022
Crystal Quest appears to be a terrible company. Just bought (a mistake) a Big Blue arsenic system which does not remove arsenic. Company won’t even provide filter specs. System was defective (internal leaks). Crystal Quest just sent me some additional gaskets. No real warranty. Have you actually read the very limited warranty?
Do you have any real data to support the claims in your review?
I realize that your website is just an Amazon advertisement but arsenic in water is serious business.
Hi Robert,
Sorry for the late reply and thanks for sharing your feedback. Did you conduct a lab test to check for arsenic levels before and after filtration?
