Government sampling in Sussex County, Delaware, focusing on aquifer 112CLMB, has detected radon-222 in every one of 10 wells tested between 2012 and 2018. The measurements ranged from 59.0 to 320.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), with a median value of 177.5 pCi/L. No sample exceeded federal limits, reflecting a consistent presence rather than a regulatory violation.
Radon Levels Are Independent of Plumbing Material and Age
The concentration of radon found in well water does not depend on the type of plumbing or its age within your household. Radon originates naturally underground and enters water primarily through the aquifer and geological formations, so household pipes and fixtures, whether new or old, do not create or increase radon levels.
Unchecked Radon in Water Does Not Cause Immediate Physical Damage Over Time
Unlike minerals that cause scale or chemicals that stain, radon is a radioactive gas and not a substance that causes corrosion or buildup in plumbing when left untreated. However, prolonged exposure to radon released from water into indoor air can potentially add to overall radon exposure, which may be a health consideration.
Sample Depth and Well Depth Influence Expected Radon Concentrations
The tested wells sampled ranged in depth from 18 to 139 feet. Radon levels can vary with depth because deeper wells may access water that has been in contact with radon-emitting rocks longer. Therefore, radon concentrations in your water could differ based on your well's depth and specific source characteristics.
Matching Treatment Capacity to Household Water Use Is Essential
Choosing appropriate radon water treatment depends on the volume of water used daily. Systems designed for radon removal must be capable of handling your household’s flow rates and usage patterns to maintain effectiveness without disrupting supply.
Some Water Issues Resemble Radon but Are Not Related
Symptoms such as staining, sediment buildup, or taste alterations are common with other water constituents but do not indicate radon presence. Radon gas is odorless and tasteless, so household signs typically do not point directly to radon contamination in water.
The Government Radon Data Rests on a Limited Number of Samples and Wells
The USGS data for Sussex County’s aquifer 112CLMB is based on 10 wells sampled once each over a six-year period. While this provides a general picture of radon presence across that aquifer, it does not reveal variations that may exist from well to well or season to season. This limited sampling underlines the importance of testing your own water source to understand its unique characteristics.
To determine your household’s radon level in water, a specialized laboratory test targeting radon-222 is necessary. This test will establish whether treatment is appropriate and, if so, guide the selection of a solution like the C-Series Radon in Water Filter. This system ships ready to configure and is designed to reduce radon levels effectively, matching the daily water use demands of residential settings.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2018-11-15. 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 112CLMB aquifer (Sussex County): 10 results from 10 wells, median 177.5 pCi/L, range 59.0-320.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold