Chapter 36 - Removing arsenic from drinking water: A brief review of some lessons learned and gaps arisen in Chilean water utilities

Abstract

Arsenic (As) removal from water can be achieved using different technologies. Application at full scale of each might not be as successful as at laboratory tests. At full scale, some variables are difficult to control and these may interfere in the removal process. These interferences may not be detected when working at laboratory tests with analito (As) solutions in distilled water. The selection of the best available technology for arsenic removal should be based on some key factors, such as removal goals, quality of the water matrix, water quantity, operator skill requirements, operational water treatment costs, arsenic speciation, availability of analytical methods, sludge management, and others. Some of these issues may play an important role in the feasibility of arsenic removal practices and therefore must be considered and assessed before the selection of any arsenic removal technology. Small water utilities may face more challenges than larger systems. The situation for family systems is even worse.