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'''Arsenic contamination of groundwater''' is a natural occurring high concentration of [[arsenic]] in deeper levels of [[groundwater]]. It is a high-profile problem due to the use of deep [[tubewell]]s for water supply in the [[Ganges Delta]], causing serious [[arsenic poisoning]] to large numbers of people. A 2007 study found that over 137 million people in more than 70 countries are probably affected by arsenic poisoning of drinking water. Arsenic contamination of ground water is found in many countries throughout the world, including the USA.<ref>{{cite journal
| title = A review of the source, behaviour and distribution of arsenic in natural waters
Arsenic in drinking water may also compromise immune function {{cite web |url=http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-05/mbl-sli052009.php |title=Scientists link influenza A (H1N1) susceptibility to common levels of arsenic exposure |format= |work= |accessdate=}}.
===Contamination specific nations and regions==[[File:Weltkarte arsenrisikogebiete.gif|framed|right|Groundwater arsenic contamination areas]] === in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India ===
Arsenic contamination of the groundwater in Bangladesh is a serious problem. Prior to the 1970s, Bangladesh had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Ineffective water purification and sewage systems as well as periodic monsoons and flooding exacerbated these problems. As a solution, UNICEF and the World Bank advocated the use of wells to tap into deeper groundwater. Millions of wells were constructed as a result. Because of this action, infant mortality and diarrheal illness were reduced by fifty percent. However, with over 8 million wells constructed, approximately one in five of these wells is now contaminated with arsenic above the government's drinking water standard.