UA SBRP Co-Hosted Arsenic Workshop titled, Innovations in Arsenic Management for Water Providers

The Arizona Water Institute, University of Arizona (UA) Water Sustainability Program, and the UA SBRP jointly sponsored and hosted a one-day arsenic workshop on Feb. 17, 2006. Leading Arizona experts on arsenic occurrence, regulatory activities, health effects, treatments for arsenic removal, and management of arsenic-bearing residuals presented information to an audience of over 75 participants. The purpose of the workshop was to inform participants about response options for the new arsenic maximum contamination level (MCL) recently adopted by the EPA. The following UA SBRP investigators presented at the workshop:

Wendell Ela, Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Topic: Point-of-Use devices, also served as a moderator and facilitator throughout the entire event.

Vasken Aposhian, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Topic: Health Effects due to Arsenic Exposure

Jim Field, Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Topic: Microbial Transformations affecting Arsenic Chemistry

James Farrell, Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Topic: Mechanisms for Arsenic Removal from Water

Eduardo Sáez, Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Topic: Disposal of Arsenic Residuals

Representatives from various Arizona water utilities and tribes as well as students and city and state officials filled the room, intently listening to the issues surrounding arsenic. Based on the number and quality of questions asked of the presenters, the issues discussed and information provided was of immediate interest to the attendees. The progression of information during the workshop moved from a comprehensive look at the new regulation of arsenic and the persistence of arsenic in groundwater due to hydrogeologic conditions in the Southwest, to a specific, pragmatic discussion concerning the removal of arsenic from drinking water and disposal of residuals, which provided action-based advice. In addition, participants were given the opportunity to get first hand advice from the panel of experts on specific issues and concerns they are currently dealing with.

To view the Arsenic Workshop presentations, Please visit http://www.uawater.arizona.edu/programs/workshop1files.html.