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Solution to arsenic water problem will have to wait until December

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October 28th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) Some 14 water systems across the country that are contaminated with arsenic in concentrations exceeding those allowed for human consumption will have to wait until December for a permanent fix.

 

Four companies submitted bids on Friday to provide for the cleanup of the water systems.  The winner will not be selected until December 12th.

 

According to Carlos Vargas, Director of Research and Development at the Costa Rican Institute for Water and Sewers (AyA), all four the companies intend to address the problem using an absorption system, where inert particles are added to the water in order to trap arsenic and prevent it from reaching customers’ taps.

 

The most affected water systems are those in Cañas, Bagaces, and several communities in San Carlos in the northern area of the country.

 

As a palliative measure, authorities have distributed so-called “Kanchan” style water filters, used in countries like India, to area residents.  The makeshift filters consist of a barrel the size of a wastebasket filled with rusty nails, clay and other material through which water is poured and exits through a spigot at the bottom of the barrel.

A woman fills a pitcher with water from a "Kanchan" style water filter, which have been distributed by health authorities. (Archive Image)

A woman fills a pitcher with water from a “Kanchan” style water filter, which have been distributed by health authorities. (Archive Image)

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  • disgusted

    Notice they will not tell us what the level is?? It must be really off the charts. “”….

    Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. It is odorless
    and tasteless. It enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits
    in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices.

    Non-cancer effects can include thickening and discoloration of the
    skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; diarrhea; numbness in hands and
    feet; partial paralysis; and blindness. Arsenic has been linked to
    cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver, and
    prostate.

    EPA has set the arsenic standard for drinking water at .010 parts per
    million (10 parts per billion) to protect consumers served by public
    water systems from the effects of long-term, chronic exposure to
    arsenic. Water systems must comply with this standard by January 23,
    2006, providing additional protection to an estimated 13 million
    Americans.

    This web site is designed to provide you with information about
    arsenic in drinking water and provide guidance materials to help the
    states and water systems comply with the standard.”"”

  • Fernando Gerdano

    Costa Rica the #1 country in the world for stomach cancer. Is it the arsenic in the water system or the being tops in the world in pesticide usage?

  • David Sterling

    I would believe it is due to the volcanic activity around the country. A lot of deposits of various minerals over the years. It’s a hard issue to resolve since its not a problem of drilling – the whole water table is affected. Filtering is good, but to service all of the existing infrastructure won’t be a small task. At least for folks, it is better to go with air to water machines (crwatersolutions.com) or bottled – particularly for drinking/ice cubes/food prep.

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