If you observe water quality concerns possibly linked to uranium or radium
Johnson County’s groundwater comes primarily from the 111ALVM aquifer, where water travels through underground rock formations before reaching your household taps. This aquifer has been sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey, providing valuable area-wide data on uranium presence in groundwater.
Before seeking treatment solutions, you should write down all recent water test results from your own well or water source. If you have not tested your water specifically for uranium or radium, consider arranging a certified laboratory test that can measure these elements directly. Having your own water profile is essential because area data cannot determine your individual well’s conditions.
If you rely on public system or area aquifer records to understand your water quality
The U.S. Geological Survey’s data for Johnson County’s 111ALVM aquifer covers multiple wells sampled between 2011 and 2017. These data reflect area-wide groundwater conditions rather than any specific private well. Public system and aquifer records indicate typical ranges and medians for uranium concentrations but do not reveal the concentration in your household water without a direct test.
Sampling for uranium was conducted in four separate wells at depths between 17 and 177 feet, with median uranium levels of 0.3705 micrograms per liter and a range from 0.226 to 2.07 micrograms per liter. None of these results exceeded any federal uranium thresholds. This means the local aquifer’s uranium presence has been measured and stays within established federal guidelines over the sampled period.
If you are considering the sample size behind these figures and what it implies
The regional uranium data come from five samples across four wells collected over six years. This relatively small number of samples means the data represent preliminary regional trends rather than a comprehensive survey. Small sample sizes may miss localized spikes or variations—your well could differ. Therefore, while these figures inform about general groundwater quality in Johnson County, they cannot substitute for a private water analysis specific to your household.
If you notice certain water fixtures or appliances affected by uranium or radium
Radionuclides like uranium and radium generally do not affect water taste or appearance but can accumulate in hardware or plumbing components over time. Appliances such as water heaters, pipes, and fixtures that frequently contact water may experience mineral deposits or subtle staining. Monitoring these signs, alongside test results, helps identify treatment needs early.
If you confuse uranium-radium contamination with other water quality problems
Uranium and radium presence in water often gets mistaken for issues like iron staining or hardness, which involve different minerals and require different responses. Unlike iron or hardness, uranium and radium are radioactive elements that must be measured specifically through laboratory testing. Treatment approaches also differ: technologies designed for iron removal do not effectively reduce uranium or radium.
What you should NOT conclude from Johnson County aquifer data alone
The regional data do not prove your private well water contains uranium or radium at any particular level. Detection in area aquifer samples does not imply a violation or unsafe condition. It simply shows what instruments measured in those sampled wells. Only a certified laboratory test of your water can establish your household’s uranium or radium concentration. Furthermore, none of the sampled results in Johnson County exceeded federal standards, so the regional aquifer is not documented as unsafe based on this data.
If treatment appears necessary after testing your water, the Pentair Uranium & Radium System offers a solution designed to address these elements effectively. The system ships ready to configure and provides a capacity of 32,000 grains for managing uranium and radium reduction at home.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2017-08-28. 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 Uranium in the 111ALVM aquifer (Johnson County): 5 results from 4 wells, median 0.3705 ug/L, range 0.226-2.07 ug/L; none above any federal threshold