Snakes and Stones

[Bogertophis]

...As for my toxic well water: Originally the former owner of the house had given me a water test report which showed dangerously high arsenic levels. I had my own lab test and the results were 5X higher than the first lab had indicated (variability is common). I had a big water filtration system installed utilizing greensand media, and the water tested clean afterwards. I was told that if regenerated properly (recharged) the greensand would last about 4-8 years before needing to be replaced. Since we only have 2 people in our house: 8 years was more likely. It costs $200/arsenic test-so it is not something I check monthly.
-I noticed last year that my male Tiger Salamander was getting seriously bloated and sick. He was extremely pale and laying upside down exposed on top of the terrarium (he is usually in a tunnel). Since he is approaching 20 years old-I figured it was probably his time to go. Just in case I changed out all the coconut fiber substrate in his terrarium and switched over to bottled spring water. I poured some spring water on him twice daily-since he was paralyzed and I did not want him to dry out. From deaths door to a full recovery in just 3 weeks...it was amazing, but, also pretty sus. By that point I realized that 75% of my ball python females had either reabsorbed or were reabsorbing their follicles. I had the water tested, and after 4 years, the media was cutting the arsenic levels in half, but, in my case that *still* meant it was super toxic. I payed a few thousand dollars to have the media changed out and we are testing clean again with a happy tiger salamander and a pile of gravid bp females... It seems that 3 years is as far as I'm going to get without regular testing.

Sidenote: The plumber I hired to swap out the arsenic media did not wear any protective gear and emptied out the contaminated media in the bed of his enclosed truck with a hand shovel and a shop vac. I went up to him and suggested he may want to wear a facemask (at least), but, he wouldn't hear it. Found out later when I called his office that he went to the ER that night-horribly ill. He wasn't able to finish the additional work I had hired him for until several weeks later...Of course that could just be coincidental...

Wow, what a scary ordeal with your well water. I'm so glad your Tiger salamander didn't die & that your BP girls survived okay too, albeit without the usual productivity. Close call, I'd say. As for your plumber, you warned him & tried your best...I bet next time he'll take the hint to take protective measures...at least I hope so!

Rotten luck having water with so much contamination that you have to test every few years. I hope you knew before you bought the place- not a very good surprise, but at least you weren't without warning.