The average increase in household cost for water that meets the new arsenic standards depends on the size of the water system, how many people are served by that system, and the concentration of arsenic in the raw water. For small community water systems (those serving fewer than 10,000 people), the increase in cost is expected to range between $38 and $327. For community water systems that serve greater than 10,000 people, annual household costs for water are expected to increase by 86 cents to 32 dollars.
Systems needing to install treatment (or conduct other capital projects related to arsenic treatment) may apply for financial assistance through EPA's drinking water state revolving fund. Since 1996, states have used EPA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program to make billions of dollars available to assist drinking water systems with projects to improve their infrastructure.
In addition to financial assistance, systems may be eligible for an exemption which may extend the compliance period. There are a number of criteria which systems must meet to be eligible for an exemption and not all States issue exemptions. Call your State Drinking Water Program for additional information on exemptions.
Additional information on funding sources and opportunities can be found at:
- Using DWSRF Funds to Comply with the New Arsenic Rule
- Rural Development-Rural Utilities Service, Loan, and Grant Program: Fact Sheet
- Memorandum of Agreement between EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service on supporting compliance with the arsenic standard
- Sources of Technical and Financial Assistance for Small Drinking Water Systems