Client
Rolesville, NC homeowner
Services
Radiological water testing, laboratory water testing, installation of ion exchange and radon bubbler water systems
Addressing Radon, Uranium and Radiologicals in Well Water
A homeowner contacted us to perform water testing due to suspected radon or uranium contamination of their water. Their home is located over the Rolesville batholith, a 300 million year old rock formation known to contain elevated levels of uranium that runs across large portions of Wake and Franklin counties in North Carolina.
These radiological contaminants are known to exist across large swaths of the United States and are a very common contamination issue in well water supplies. Radioactive elements like uranium can cause serious long-term health damage and complications.
Our Approach
Water Testing for Radioactive Compounds
We started by conducting radiological testing of the customer’s well water.
Tests showed highly elevated levels of several radioactive compounds in the client’s water, as much as five times higher than the EPA’s guidelines (non-enforceable) and maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). MCLs are “The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water,” as defined by the EPA. Since private well water isn’t regulated, water testing and treatment is up to the homeowner.
| Contaminant | EPA Recommended Limit | Levels Tested | Potential Health Effects From Long-Term Exposure Above MCL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 4,000 pCi/L (guideline) | 21,210 pCi/L | Increased risk of internal organ cancer* |
| Uranium | 30 ug/L MCL | 42.5 ug/L | Increased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity |
| Gross Alpha | 15 pCi/L MCL | 45.5 pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Gross Beta | 50 pCi/L MCL | 14.7 pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
Kinetico Systems Post Installation
Solution
Installing Non-Electric Water Treatment Systems
We installed a non-electric, dual tank, mixed resin ion exchange system to remediate the Gross Alpha, Gross Beta and Uranium. For the radon, we installed the AIRaider Aeration Radon Removal System, which uses multi-stage bubble aeration to remove up to 99% of radon gas from the well water.
Results
Non-Detect for Radioactive Elements With Kinetico
We conducted laboratory water testing for the homeowner’s water following the installation of Kinetico ion exchange and radon removal water treatment systems. Below are the results reported by reputably accredited laboratories using approved EPA testing methods.
Results are shown in milligrams per liter (mg/L) and picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which measure mass concentration of dissolved substances and radioactivity in water, respectively.
| Contaminant (Analyte) | Minimum Detection Level or Reporting Limit | EPA Primary Standards | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium | 0.001 mg/L (MDL) | 0.030 mg/L | Non-Detect (ND) |
| Gross Alpha | 3 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | ND |
| Gross Beta | 4 pCi/L | – | ND |
| Radon | 100 pCi/L | *State specific | ND |
| Radon (second test) | 100 pCi/L (RL) | *State specific | ND |
Contact Kinetico for Industry-Leading Residential Water Treatment
Keep your family safeguarded from water pollutants with cleaner, purer water from Kinetico. Our water experts provide in-depth water analysis and a wide range of non-electric water systems designed to maximize efficiency and reduce harmful contaminants up to 99.999% depending on the contaminant and system. Contact us today to get started with a free, no-obligation water test.