Your Well Water Could Be Radioactive

Radioactive well water won’t turn you into a comic book villain, but it could seriously impact your family’s health. If you’ve ever wondered if your drinking water was safe, you’re not alone. Homeowners with well water are smart to consider the contents of their water and test for bacteria, lead and radioactive chemicals.

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Is My Well Water Radioactive?

Naturally occurring radioactive elements like uranium and radon can easily end up in well water in many regions. These chemicals can expose you to small doses of radiation through your water, which can be toxic and dangerous over time.

City water systems are regularly tested for contaminants, but well water is generally unregulated. This means homeowners should test well water for natural radioactivity. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends testing well water every three years for radionuclides.

If you live in an area known for uranium mining or issues with radon gas, you may be particularly concerned about radiation. The likelihood of certain contaminants can also depend on the features of your well. For example, higher concentrations of radium are typically found in deep wells.

But be aware that well water contamination can happen almost anywhere. Contaminated water may not taste or smell any different, meaning you can’t rely on your own senses to determine the water’s safety. For these reasons, homeowners should test their well water for radionuclides.

What Are Radionuclides?

According to the National Cancer Institute, a radionuclide is “an unstable form of a chemical element that releases radiation as it breaks down.” Radionuclides exist in nature, but that doesn’t make them safe for your water.

Elements like uranium and radium are radionuclides found in rocks and dirt in some areas. These elements can dissolve in groundwater and find their way into wells and other water sources.

Is Any Amount of Radiation Safe?

People are exposed to small amounts of radiation all the time. Flying on an airplane or getting an X-ray exposes you to small doses of radiation. Contaminated well water isn’t likely to contain a high enough dose of radiation to make you ill right away. However, constant small doses of radiation can significantly increase your chances of cancer. If your water is contaminated, drinking, bathing and other daily activities can expose you to small amounts of radiation.

The EPA issues radionuclides regulations that provide guidance on maximum contaminant levels. Water exceeding these scientific measurements isn't considered safe. Water testing can help you determine if your well water exceeds these levels.

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What Should I Do If My Well Water Is Irradiated or Otherwise Contaminated?

Don’t panic if your well water tests positive for radionuclides, bacteria or other contaminants. There are treatment and filtration options. If testing shows the existence of radioactive elements in your well water, you might consider using bottled water while a filtration system is installed.

Filtration systems work by removing unwanted particles, such as radionuclides or bacteria, from your water. The treatment needed can depend on your water test results.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

A reverse osmosis filter forces water through a series of semipermeable membranes, which can remove even very small particles. These are a good option for removing radionuclides, which can be too small for other filters to catch. An RO system can also filter out other unwanted minerals and germs.

However, it can increase the corrosivity of water, creating concerns for people with older homes or lead pipes. The system also needs to wash away the filtered contaminants, and this process can use a large amount of water.

Ion Exchange Water Softening

These systems can remove larger radionuclides but may miss smaller particles. Their effectiveness can also become limited as minerals and particles build up.

Radon Aeration Systems

These are air filter systems and won’t remove radionuclides from your water. However, if you are in an area with radon gas concerns or have found radon in your water, you may need radon aeration in addition to a water filter. These systems remove radon gas in your home’s air.

Other Water Filters and Treatments

Additional water filter systems include hydrous manganese oxide filtration, electrodialysis reversal and many other home water filters. Some of these, like an HMO filter, will remove some types of radionuclides from water. However, many water filters are intended to remove salt, iron or other larger particles from water. Such filters won't catch radioactive particles or viruses. Therefore, testing your well water and getting the right filtration based on the results is important.