Radon Levels in Doña Ana County Groundwater: What Area Testing Reveals
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Differences Between Public-System Data and Private Well Testing
Laboratory reports for radon in water typically provide concentrations measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). In Doña Ana County's aquifer 112SNTF, the U.S. Geological Survey collected 34 radon measurements from 31 wells between 2010 and 2015. These results represent a regional sample of groundwater, not any single household’s water. Public-system or regional records summarize general area conditions but do not specify an individual well’s radon level. To know the specific radon concentration in your home's water, a dedicated test of your own water source is necessary.
What the Area Radon Range Means Compared to Federal Standards
Radon-222 was detected in every sample within the recorded range of 91 to 2180 pCi/L, with a median of 325 pCi/L. None of these results exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s federal threshold for radon in water. This threshold indicates a level at which treatment might be recommended to reduce radon exposure. Detection of radon, even at higher measured values, is not a violation or an immediate indicator of risk without considering exposure routes and household use. The presence of radon in area groundwater does not imply the same level exists in an individual household’s well water or that action is necessarily urgent.
How Radon Enters Groundwater in Doña Ana County
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by the decay of uranium in soils and rocks beneath the surface. In Doña Ana County, the 112SNTF aquifer’s geology allows radon to dissolve into groundwater as it moves through mineral layers. The depth of sampled wells ranged from 147 to 1322 feet, reflecting radon presence at various depths. Radon enters household water supplies when groundwater containing dissolved radon is drawn into residential wells. Unlike radon entering through air infiltration, waterborne radon can release into indoor air during water use, contributing to overall radon exposure.
How the Pentair Radon in Water Filter Addresses Radon
The Pentair Radon in Water Filter is configured to reduce radon levels in household water by using a treatment process that promotes radon removal before water reaches taps and appliances. This system operates by facilitating radon gas release from water in a controlled environment, typically through aeration or granular activated carbon media, thereby lowering radon concentration delivered to the home. It ships ready to configure for direct purchase, allowing homeowners to manage radon exposure through targeted water treatment when test results suggest it is appropriate.
Potential Effects of Untreated Radon in Household Water Over Time
When radon in water remains untreated, it can contribute incrementally to indoor air radon concentrations during activities like showering, cooking, and cleaning. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels may increase health risks as identified by federal agencies, particularly lung cancer risk due to inhalation of radon gas released from water. However, this risk must be assessed relative to other radon sources, primarily soil gas infiltration. The presence of radon in water alone does not indicate immediate health harm but is a factor in comprehensive radon risk management.
The Test You Should Order and How to Interpret Results
To understand the radon level specific to your household water, order a radon-in-water test performed by a qualified laboratory. This test measures radon concentration in pCi/L for your well or water source. A result exceeding federal guidance may justify treatment consideration with systems like the Pentair Radon in Water Filter. Results below or near median local concentrations suggest radon is present but not necessarily at a level requiring immediate treatment. Testing is the definitive way to settle questions about household radon presence and guide appropriate mitigation steps.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2015-07-08. 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 Radon-222 in the 112SNTF aquifer (Doña Ana County): 34 results from 31 wells, median 325.0 pCi/L, range 91.0-2180.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold