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Treating and Drinking Well Water in the Presence of Health Risks from Arsenic Contamination: Results from a U.S. Hot Spot

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  • W. Douglass Shaw
  • Mark Walker
  • Marnee Benson

Abstract

The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 regulates water quality in public drinking water supply systems but does not pertain to private domestic wells, often found in rural areas throughout the country. The recent decision to tighten the drinking water standard for arsenic from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb may therefore affect some households in rural communities, but may not directly reduce health risks for those on private wells. The article reports results from a survey conducted in a U.S. arsenic hot spot, the rural area of Churchill County, Nevada. This area has elevated levels of arsenic in groundwater. We find that a significant proportion of households on private wells are consuming drinking water with arsenic levels that pose a health risk. The decision to treat tap water for those on private wells in this area is modeled, and the predicted probability of treatment is used to help explain drinking water consumption. This probability represents behaviors relating to the household's perception of risk.

Suggested Citation

  • W. Douglass Shaw & Mark Walker & Marnee Benson, 2005. "Treating and Drinking Well Water in the Presence of Health Risks from Arsenic Contamination: Results from a U.S. Hot Spot," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(6), pages 1531-1543, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:25:y:2005:i:6:p:1531-1543
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2005.00698.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Peng Liu & Run Yang & Zhigang Xu, 2019. "How Safe Is Safe Enough for Self‐Driving Vehicles?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 39(2), pages 315-325, February.
    3. To N. Nguyen & Paul M. Jakus & Mary Riddel & W. Douglass Shaw, 2010. "An Empirical Model of Perceived Mortality Risks for Selected U.S. Arsenic Hot Spots," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(10), pages 1550-1562, October.
    4. Darcy M. Anderson & Annabelle Black Bear & Tracy Zacher & Kelly Endres & Ronald Saxton & Francine Richards & Lisa Bear Robe & David Harvey & Lyle G. Best & Reno Red Cloud & Elizabeth D. Thomas & Joel , 2023. "Implementing a Community-Led Arsenic Mitigation Intervention for Private Well Users in American Indian Communities: A Qualitative Evaluation of the Strong Heart Water Study Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-24, February.
    5. Cordelia Onyinyechi Omodero & Amah Kalu Ogbonnaya & Azubike-Joseph Uche Belonwu, 2019. "Water Resources Accounting and Nigeria's Economic Advancement," Applied Finance and Accounting, Redfame publishing, vol. 5(1), pages 58-67, February.

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