How Uranium and Radium Enter Groundwater in the Rockingham County Bedrock Aquifer
The bedrock aquifer underlying Rockingham County, NH, supplies water by releasing minerals naturally present in the geological formations. Uranium and radium are radioactive elements that can dissolve into groundwater through the natural decay of uranium-bearing minerals within the bedrock. This process allows alpha particle radiation to be detected in groundwater samples from wells drilled into these deep formations.
The Role of Plumbing Materials and Age in Water Quality
While the aquifer provides the source water, household plumbing materials and their age influence water quality separately from source constituents like uranium and radium. Corrosion or leaching from older plumbing components may add metals or affect water chemistry, but they do not create or increase uranium or radium levels originally found in the well water. Understanding potential plumbing influences helps distinguish treatment needs specific to source water versus in-home factors.
Sample Size and What It Means for Local Water Quality
The figures come from four groundwater samples collected in two separate wells between May 13 and 14, 2014. These wells ranged in depth from 176 to 492 feet, targeting the bedrock aquifer. All four samples detected alpha particle activity with a median of 3.25 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L), and values ranged from 3.0 to 3.9 pCi/L. None of these measurements exceeded federal thresholds for safety. While this small number of samples indicates detectable uranium and radium present in bedrock groundwater generally in the area, it does not determine the concentration in any particular household well. Testing your own well water remains essential for accurate assessment.
Assessing Treatment Capacity Relative to Household Water Demand
When existing equipment is unable to maintain adequate uranium and radium reduction, capacity evaluation is crucial. Effective treatment must match or exceed the household daily water use. The Pentair Uranium & Radium System offers a grain capacity of 32,000, which translates into a robust ability to reduce uranium and radium over sustained use. Understanding your household’s typical water consumption helps in selecting a system with appropriate capacity to maintain water quality effectively over time.
Information to Record Before Seeking Treatment Guidance
- Current water testing results from your well specifying uranium and radium levels, including alpha particle measurements
- Details on your household’s daily water usage
- Specifications and performance limits of existing water treatment equipment
- Depth and construction details of your well to relate to local sampling scope
- Any plumbing materials and age that might interact with water quality
Having this information ready supports tailored treatment advice suited to your specific conditions and needs.
Summary of Groundwater Sampling and Reference
The latest government data from U.S. Geological Survey sampling in Rockingham County bedrock aquifer wells found alpha particle activity ranging from 3.0 to 3.9 pCi/L in a small set of deep wells sampled in May 2014. No measurements exceeded federal safety thresholds. These findings reflect regional aquifer conditions, not individual household wells. For more details, consult the USGS groundwater data directly.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2014-05-14. 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 Alpha particle in the BEDROCK aquifer (Rockingham County): 4 results from 2 wells, median 3.25 pCi/L, range 3.0-3.9 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold
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