Researchers warn of arsenic risk in Iowa private wells
By KCCI Staff
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IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCCI) — Researchers are warning that Iowans relying on private water wells may face a higher risk of arsenic contamination, with free testing now being offered in select counties.
The Iowa INSIGHT program estimates that 5 to 7 percent of Iowans get their drinking water from private wells, which are unregulated and untested. Arsenic, a naturally occurring element, can seep into groundwater and has been found in higher concentrations in the northern and central parts of the state. Iowa INSIGHT analyzed data from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources over a ten-year period.
Researchers are now providing free testing for arsenic in five counties identified as vulnerable: Benton, Cedar, Jones, Mitchell, and Plymouth. The DNR says its Private Well Grants Program will also provide free testing for arsenic to private well owners.
“If we’re having a conversation about environmental determinants that could be influencing Iowans’ health with regard to forms of cancer that we know we struggle with, like lung cancer and certain forms of skin cancer, then we need to be understanding arsenic is a vulnerability for Iowans, particularly Iowans that rely on private wells, because they’re unregulated, they’re untested,” said David Cwiertny, director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination at the University of Iowa.
Arsenic is a known carcinogen linked to skin, lung, and bladder cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency states that any amount of arsenic poses a risk to humans. Public water utilities are required to remove arsenic under the Safe Drinking Water Act, but private wells are not subject to the same regulations.
The DNR encourages private well owners to take advantage of the free testing programs to ensure their water is safe.
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