Is the water from Old Faithful safe to drink?

Photograph of the Old Faithful Geyser erupting in Yellowstone National Park. Waters from Old Faithful contain arsenic concentrations of about 1,500 µg/L. Arsenic is a geogenic, or naturally occurring, chemical element in surface- and groundwaters that is of great public-health concern.



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The water in Yellowstone looks pristine and clear, but don't be fooled to think that it is clean and safe to drink on it's own. Because of the park's immense wildlife populations, there are animals constantly drinking, defecating and dying in and around these waters.

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This may have been a bit of an exaggeration, but geysers do emit a bit of a stench due to the elevated levels of sulfuric acid and hydrogen sulfide gas contained within the geysers themselves.

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The overburden pressure from the load of the ice cap caused the underlying hydrothermal system to boil at higher temperature than today at a given depth beneath the land surface. Loading the Yellowstone hydrothermal system with ice or lake water is similar to pressure cooking.

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A Breathtaking Setting for Relaxing and Recharging We are located just eight miles north of the North entrance to Yellowstone Park, at the south end of beautiful Paradise Valley. Yellowstone Hot Springs is a soaking experience unique in the world.

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The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat. “The deep blue color of the water in the center of the pool results from the intrinsic blue color of water, itself the result of water's selective absorption of red wavelengths of visible light.

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If you've ever visited Old Faithful and the other geysers at Yellowstone National Park, you've likely come away with two reactions. First, it's one of the most captivating sights in all of nature. Second, the place stinks like rotting eggs.

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Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk. Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature. Keep your children close and don't let them run.

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Low water pressure, water or moisture stains on infrastructure around the geyser, or strange sounds coming from the system all warrant an inspection. You don't want the tank getting any hotter if it malfunctions because it can burst or explode – and in some cases start a fire.

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