Fleck Radon in Water Filter

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How do I interpret the median and range of radon levels in San Diego County wells?

The U.S. Geological Survey collected 15 radon-222 measurements from 11 wells in San Diego County's aquifer N9999OTHER between June 2011 and January 2012. The median radon concentration was 1110 pCi/L, with results ranging from 168 to 3370 pCi/L. This means half the samples were above 1110 pCi/L and half below. The range shows variability among sampled wells, reflecting natural differences in geology and well depth. These figures represent the area’s groundwater characteristics; they do not describe the radon concentration in your own water, which can only be established by testing your specific source.

Once water treatment with a Fleck Radon in Water Filter is in place, how does the water at my tap change?

When the Fleck System is employed to treat radon in household water, the concentration of radon entering indoor plumbing is reduced. This leads to lower radon levels in water used for drinking, cooking, and bathing at your faucets. The treated water helps limit radon gas release into the indoor air from water use, improving overall water quality related to radon. However, the specific reduction depends on your water’s starting levels and flow rates.

Which plumbing fixtures or home uses are affected by radon in water first, and why?

Fixtures involving water aeration or agitation—such as showers, faucets, and water heaters—are the first points where radon can escape from water into indoor air. The gas is released as water flows and splashes, contributing to indoor radon exposure. Appliances that do not aerate water significantly, like washing machines, are less impacted. This is why radon treatment focuses on household water lines feeding faucets and showers.

What happens if radon presence in water is left untreated over many years?

Over time, untreated radon in water can contribute to measurable amounts of radon gas indoors when water is used. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas; chronic exposure to elevated indoor radon levels is a known health concern. While the radon levels found in San Diego County groundwater samples did not exceed federal thresholds, individual well water may differ and should be tested. Without treatment, radon in water remains a potential source of indoor air radon.

How do well depth and sampling depth influence expectations about radon levels in my water?

The USGS wells sampled ranged in depth from 46 to 500 feet. Radon concentrations often vary with depth due to rock and soil characteristics around the well. Deeper wells may encounter different radon levels than shallow wells. This explains the range in results and why sampling multiple wells at various depths is needed to understand regional trends. Your own well’s depth will influence radon levels, but cannot be determined solely from area data.

Why are secondary aesthetic standards different from health-based limits, especially for radon?

Radon’s presence in water is regulated primarily based on health-related guidelines for indoor air exposure linked to water use. Secondary standards typically address things like taste, odor, or staining caused by chemicals—not radioactive gas levels. Radon does not affect water taste or appearance noticeably, so aesthetic standards do not apply. This distinction underscores the importance of testing and treating radon for its health impact rather than for aesthetic water quality.

For homeowners in San Diego County seeking to address radon detected in their water, the Fleck Radon in Water Filter ships ready to configure and is designed to reduce radon levels effectively based on your measured demand. Confirming your water's radon concentration with a specific test is the first step toward improving your household water quality.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2012-01-12. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.

On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Radon-222 in the N9999OTHER aquifer (San Diego County): 15 results from 11 wells, median 1110.0 pCi/L, range 168.0-3370.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold