[Removal of arsenic from water for human consumption in homes in rural communities in the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico].

This paper presents the results of an intradomiciliary procedure for arsenic removal from water, by means of flocculation with ferric sulphate. The reaction was carried out in a specifically designed tank with a manual agitator (reactor) installed in a vertical support. The salts to flocculate were handed in two small envelopes, whose contents were added independently, agitating the water and letting it settle for two to three hours. Water is decanted by opening a faucet connected to the inferior part of the recipient. Ten families of the states of Durango and Coahuila (the Comarca Lagunera) were selected. Samples of water were taken before and after the treatment. In 70 percent of these samples the arsenic removal was total, and in the remaining 30 percent the removal was superior to 93 percent. The arsenic removal of water in the domicile was very effective, for which it is suggested as a palliative method for those groups with higher levels of exposition.