Understanding 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in Area Radon Samples
The U.S. Geological Survey has tested groundwater in Allegany County's 112SDGV aquifer, sampling 14 radon results from 8 wells between 2010 and 2021. All tested wells, between 70 and 199 feet deep, showed radon detected in every sample, with values ranging from 300 to 1,270 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) and a median reading of 690 pCi/L. These readings reflect measurements across the region, not individual household wells. 'Detected' indicates radon was measured in every instance; 'median' is the midpoint value among all results; and 'range' shows the lowest and highest readings found.
How Water Changes at the Tap with Radon Filtration
When radon is present in water, it can migrate into indoor air during routine water use. Using a Pentair Radon in Water Filter modifies the water by significantly reducing radon levels before it reaches the faucet. This results in lower radon exposure during showering, cooking, or washing. Treated water from this system is clear of radon contamination measured at the tap, enhancing household air quality indirectly by minimizing radon release from water. The filter ships ready to configure for your system.
Distinguishing Radon in Water from Similar Issues
Radon is a radioactive gas originating from soil and rock beneath the ground and can dissolve into groundwater. It differs fundamentally from chemical contaminants or bacterial problems commonly addressed in water treatment. Radon is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, unlike aesthetic concerns such as iron staining or sulfur smells. Its health considerations center on radioactivity, not chemical toxicity or biological contamination, setting it apart from the more frequent water-quality issues that households encounter.
Interpreting Radon Levels Against Federal Guidance
The federal government has established recommended action levels for radon in water to guide risk reduction. The documented groundwater results from Allegany County's 112SDGV aquifer show no sample exceeding these federal thresholds. However, detection here does not imply any single well or household water supply in the area is above or below these levels. Only a certified lab test of your own water can establish specific radon content. State and federal guidance uses these area-wide data to inform the public but does not replace individual assessment where radon is a concern.
Reading a Certified Laboratory Radon Water Test Report
A certified lab report for radon in water will list your water sample's measured radon concentration in pCi/L. It will specify the testing date, detection method, and the reporting limit—below which radon may not be reliably quantified. Understanding your report requires noting that any measured value is a snapshot of that water sample only. Comparing your number to federal and state guidance involves considering the potential for exposure and deciding on treatment. Such treatment, like the Pentair Radon in Water Filter, can reduce radon levels effectively in residential water supplies.
These insights are drawn from 14 radon measurements taken from eight wells in Allegany County’s 112SDGV aquifer area by the U.S. Geological Survey between 2010 and 2021. For full details, visit the U.S. Geological Survey’s groundwater data portal referenced for this region.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2021-09-15. 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 112SDGV aquifer (Allegany County): 14 results from 8 wells, median 690.0 pCi/L, range 300.0-1270.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold