Fleck Uranium & Radium System

Buy Now

View full details

Government groundwater sampling in Shelby County’s aquifer 124MMPS shows Radium-228 was detected in all 21 samples taken from 18 wells between 2013 and 2019, with values ranging from -0.1 to 1.3 pCi/L and a median of 0.77 pCi/L, all below federal safety thresholds.

Distinguishing Uranium-Radium From Other Water Concerns

Uranium-Radium differs from common hardness minerals

Unlike calcium or magnesium that cause hardness, uranium and radium are radioactive elements. Their presence is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), reflecting radioactive decay rather than chemical concentration.

Not the same as aesthetic issues like iron staining

Uranium-radium does not affect water color or taste directly but relates solely to radiological quality, which requires specific testing and treatment approaches.

Origins of Uranium and Radium in Shelby County Groundwater

Natural geological sources in aquifer deposits

In Shelby County, these elements originate from mineral deposits in the underground aquifer 124MMPS, released naturally through rock-water interactions at depths between 76 and 624 feet.

Movement into wells depends on water flow and rock composition

Water dissolves trace amounts of uranium and radium as it travels through rock formations. Seasonal shifts and aquifer recharge influence concentration variations.

Understanding Laboratory Test Reports for Uranium-Radium

Reports list measured pCi/L with detection limits and uncertainty

A certified laboratory separates uranium and radium results but often reports combined radiological activity. Values below reporting limits are indicated as non-detects, while detected results quantify the activity level.

Compare your test numbers to federal guidelines

Federal limits set maximum contaminant levels, but area government sampling shows all measurements well below those thresholds in Shelby County.

Range and Timing of Uranium-Radium Measurements in Shelby County

Sampling dates span nearly six years

Samples collected from August 2013 through May 2019 allow observation of multi-year trends and seasonal effects.

Measured range stays within a narrow band

Detected values fluctuated between -0.1 and 1.3 pCi/L, showing limited variation over time in area wells.

First Affected Household Water Uses and Fixtures

All household water uses draw from the same source

Radionuclides enter all fixtures supplied by the well, including kitchen taps, showers, and appliances like water heaters.

Accumulation concerns for fixtures needing water replacement

Fixtures with mineral deposits or sediment buildup may reveal radiological concerns indirectly by staining or corrosion, although uranium-radium itself is radiological.

Effect of Fleck Uranium & Radium System on Tap Water Quality

Removes uranium and radium from water supply

The Fleck System uses specialized media to reduce radioactive elements, producing water with lower uranium-radium activity at the household tap.

Maintains water flow and quantity for typical residential demand

Designed with a grain capacity of 32000, it accommodates standard residential consumption without major adjustments.

This checklist clarified what regional uranium-radium data indicates for Shelby County residents and distinguished it from other water challenges. Testing your household water with a certified laboratory is essential to confirm your treatment needs before selecting equipment like the Fleck Uranium & Radium System.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-05-08. 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 Radium-228 in the 124MMPS aquifer (Shelby County): 21 results from 18 wells, median 0.77 pCi/L, range -0.1-1.3 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold