Water Source and Radon in Suffolk City Aquifer 122PNPN
Water in Suffolk City County generally comes from the local aquifer known as 122PNPN. This aquifer, tapped by wells reaching depths around 380 feet, provides groundwater that ultimately supplies household taps in the area. The radon-222 content in this groundwater has been measured by the U.S. Geological Survey, providing insights into typical concentrations that residents may expect before any treatment.
Changes in Tap Water Radon After Treatment
When using a Pentair Radon in Water Filter system, the treated water at the tap will have significantly reduced radon levels compared to untreated groundwater. This system is designed to address radon present in the water, removing a substantial portion of it to minimize radon exposure originating from water use. As a result, water used for cooking, bathing, and drinking will carry far less radon than your source well water.
Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation in Radon Concentrations
The monitoring record for radon-222 in Suffolk County’s aquifer includes six samples collected between March 2019 and April 2025. Radon levels in this period varied from 280 to 4700 pCi/L, with a median concentration of 3990 pCi/L. This range reflects natural fluctuations that may occur due to seasonal changes, aquifer dynamics, or climatic factors. Understanding this variability helps households anticipate how radon concentrations in their water source might change over time.
How Radon Enters Groundwater in This Region
Radon-222 is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that results from the decay of uranium in rocks and soils beneath the aquifer. In Suffolk City County, uranium-bearing minerals in the aquifer matrix emit radon, which then dissolves into the groundwater. Because it is a gas, radon can migrate through pores in rocks and soil, entering wells that tap into these water-bearing formations. This explains why radon is consistently detected in sampled wells within this aquifer.
Interpreting the Median and Range as a Homeowner
For Suffolk City County’s aquifer 122PNPN, homeowners can consider the median radon concentration of 3990 pCi/L as a typical value, with actual radon levels in any given well possibly lower or higher within the range observed, 280 to 4700 pCi/L. This range indicates that individual well radon levels may vary widely, so a specific water test is necessary to determine exact radon concentration in your household water before deciding on treatment needs. The sampled wells showed no radon results above federal thresholds, but data confirm radon presence throughout the area.
Information to Collect Before Selecting Radon Water Treatment
Before choosing a water treatment approach, it is essential to have precise data on your own water’s radon concentration. To do this, request a laboratory radon analysis of your well water. Note the depth of your well, as deeper wells may have different radon levels than those sampled. Also, consider how often your water source’s radon concentration might change seasonally. Collate these details for a clear picture of your household’s treatment demand.
For households in Suffolk City County looking to reduce radon in their water, the Pentair Radon in Water Filter system ships ready to configure. It is designed to address radon concentrations similar to those found in this aquifer, providing effective radon removal tailored to the specific radon levels you measure in your water source.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2025-04-02. 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 122PNPN aquifer (Suffolk city County): 6 results from 1 wells, median 3990.0 pCi/L, range 280.0-4700.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold