Government groundwater sampling by the U.S. Geological Survey in Box Elder County, Utah, provides useful but limited context for residents considering radon treatment. The data reflects radon-222 measurements collected from three separate wells in aquifer 100VLFL during August 2013, with radon detected in every sample. However, these results describe area aquifer levels only and are not a substitute for testing your household water supply directly.
If you want to match treatment capacity to your household's daily water use
Understanding how much water your household consumes daily is key to choosing a radon treatment system sized appropriately for your home. For typical household demands, treatment capacity must handle the volume of water your family uses for drinking, cooking, bathing, and laundry. Estimating peak and average daily use helps avoid underpowered systems that may fail to reduce radon effectively and oversized units that waste resources.
If you have a certified laboratory test result for radon in your water
A certified laboratory test report on your water will show your radon concentration in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), the standard unit for radon activity. This quantitative measurement allows you to compare your home's water to area data and consider treatment. Knowing both your home's specific radon level and daily water use aids in selecting an appropriate treatment approach, such as a Pentair Radon in Water Filter, which ships ready to configure.
If radon in your water goes untreated over years
Radon in water does not pose an immediate visible problem, but long-term exposure through inhalation of radon released during water use or direct consumption may increase health risks. Understanding these risks motivates proactive treatment efforts. Untreated radon can continually enter your home’s indoor air during activities like showering, cooking, and washing, potentially raising indoor radon levels.
If you rely on public water system records instead of private-well testing
Public water systems regularly monitor water quality and report findings, generally showing compliance with federal standards. The area data from Box Elder County wells show radon was detected but not in excess of any federal threshold during sampling. However, records for public water systems do not reveal your private well's conditions, which can vary greatly even within the same aquifer.
If you want to rule out radon presence in your household water systematically
- Start with reviewing any existing water quality reports for your property.
- Consider basic radon screening tests available for home use as an initial indicator.
- Obtain a comprehensive laboratory test for radon concentration in your specific water supply for accurate measurement.
If your home's plumbing material and age might affect radon levels
Radon itself is a gas dissolved in water and is not affected by plumbing materials or pipe age in terms of its presence or concentration. However, plumbing characteristics can influence radon release into indoor air. Older or corroded pipes and fixtures may affect water use patterns that indirectly influence radon exposure. Plumbing does not alter the radon concentration measured in the water supply.
It is important not to assume your well water's radon concentration matches that of the sampled area aquifer. Area data provide a regional snapshot but cannot substitute for testing your home's water. Testing your specific water supply ensures treatment solutions fit your household's exact radon levels and usage demands. The Pentair Radon in Water Filter offers a documented treatment method that addresses radon in water directly and ships ready to configure for residential application.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2013-08-20. 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 100VLFL aquifer (Box Elder County): 3 results from 3 wells, median 750.0 pCi/L, range 290.0-1090.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold