By Jan. 23, 2006, counties will have to comply with the new Environmental Protection Agency arsenic drinking water standard.

The adopted standard, which became effective Feb. 22, 2002, is 0.010 milligrams per liter. It replaces the old standard of 0.050 milligrams per liter.

DeKalb County already meets the new standard.

“The water throughout DeKalb County meets all EPA-approved standards,” said Sandy Sands, Rockford regional environmental protection specialist. Many DeKalb residents receive water from public wells.

Arsenic is widespread in almost all types of soil, particularly in association with iron and sulfur compounds, according to the USEPA Web site. Chronic arsenic poisoning could lead to loss of appetite and weight, cause diarrhea, hyperkeratosis and skin cancer.

A public well has to be tested and meet EPA standards if it serves more than 25 people.

“If a county doesn’t meet EPA approved standards, it is an issue that is treated quickly and seriously,” Sands said.

In spring 2002, the city of DeKalb released a public notice stating that it exceeded radium levels in its wells.

The notice stated that after the installation of five new water treatment plants, the water was softened and shallow well water was blended with deep well water to decrease the radium levels.

DeKalb County has nine wells in the ground that pump from 130 to 520 gallons of water per minute. The water then is pumped to a distribution center and disbursed throughout the county.

“Coliform and non-coliform bacterial testing is done monthly,” said Brian Faivre, supervisor of distribution and production of the Water Division for the city of DeKalb. Coliform is an indicator of bacteria in a water supply, non-coliform is disease-producing bacteria.

Well water samples and water that has been treated are collected monthly and sent to a certified lab, Sands said. The results go to the EPA and water division for the city of DeKalb.

If the readings come back satisfactory, then the water can be distributed. If they come up unsatisfactory, then the samples have to be collected three times per location within five houses upstream and five houses downstream of the distribution center, Sands said.

“Situations in which arsenic is highly found in water are mainly found in the west,” Bob Drake of the DeKalb County Health Department said.

Water is tested for organic chemicals such as arsenic, radium, lead and copper every three years. If organic and inorganic chemicals are found in the water above the EPA standard, then quarterly samples are issued, and the water immediately is treated.

“The new water treatment plants that were added to the city of DeKalb cost roughly $15 million,” Faivre said.

Relief funds and state and federal loans and grants are available to towns in financial need when the water doesn’t meet EPA standards.