Remediation technologies for arsenic contaminated drinking waters

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid element that is now recognised to be an important contaminant of drinking water - particularly, but not exclusively, in poor regions of southern Asia. In effected regions, many millions are at risk of arsenic-induced disease and strategies are required to provide safe water for consumption. The main strategies available are mitigation (the provision of alternative arsenic-free water) and remediation (arsenic removal from extracted water). Consideration of local conditions suggests that for many areas remediation, at an affordable cost, is the only practical option. Remediation technologies are available, but most have been developed for industrial-scale arsenic removal at central water treatment plants. The options for local / personal treatment of water are less well developed. The available methods include arsenic removal by precipitation / co-precipitation and filtration, removal by adsorption onto artificial and natural sorbents, water softening with lime, ion exchange onto activated alumina, membrane processes and bioremediation. This review considers the technical aspects and the appropriateness of these options.