(2005)
Joint research project conducted the University of Regina and the PFRA (Prairie Food and Revitalization Administration) with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of the project was to examine the performance of various point-of-use treatment systems to remove arsenic and iron from prairie groundwater.

RESEARCHERS:
D. Pokhrel, Ph.D., T. Viraraghavan, Ph.D. and L. Braul, P.Eng.

BACKGROUND:
The project examined the performance of 4 systems [Davnor slow sand filter, Mainstream biological slow sand and activated carbon filter, Tec-Water Floc System 100 coagulation system and Waterrite Model 1044 rapid sand filter] at removing arsenic and iron from groundwater at a location near Swift Current, Sask. 

CONCLUSIONS:
Although all systems reduced the concentrations of arsenic and iron, both slow sand filter systems were very effective.  The Mainstream system achieved the highest removals with a 97% reduction of arsenic and a 99.8% reduction of iron.  The Davnor slow sand system achieved an arsenic and iron removal of 96% and 99.8% respectively.  The rapid sand filter removed 99% of the iron, however there was only a 50% reduction of arsenic observed.  The coagulation system reduced arsenic by 70% and iron by 85%. 

To view the paper:

Evaluation of treatment systems for the removal of arsenic from groundwater