Pentair Uranium & Radium System

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1. How Uranium and Radium Reach Your Groundwater in San Bernardino County

Uranium and radium are naturally occurring elements typically found in deep groundwater throughout San Bernardino County’s aquifer N100BSNRGB. Measurements collected by the U.S. Geological Survey over 92 samples from 35 wells, taken between 2010 and 2018, reveal alpha particle activity—a sign of these elements’ presence. Although detected in all samples, none exceeded federal safety thresholds. These elements enter groundwater as a result of natural geological formations and pose specific considerations for residential water use, especially when levels vary by depth, with sampled wells measuring between 110 and 650 feet.

2. What Changes for Large Households, Second Homes, and Seasonal Properties

Household size and usage patterns influence how uranium and radium impact your treatment needs. Larger households or those with fluctuating water use, such as second or seasonal homes, may find their current equipment overwhelmed. Increased water demand requires proportional treatment capacity to maintain effective removal of these constituents. Seasonal properties might face periods of low water flow through treatment systems, affecting performance, while larger households consistently stress system capacity.

3. Judging Treatment Capacity Against Your Household’s Daily Demand

Effective uranium and radium management involves matching treatment capacity to water use. The documented Pentair Uranium & Radium System provides a grain capacity of 32,000, a metric related to the amount of contaminant the system can handle before requiring service. By estimating your daily water consumption and expected contaminant load—determined through water testing—you can evaluate if your existing equipment’s capability fits your household needs or if upgrading is necessary to keep pace.

4. What Information to Record Before Seeking Further Treatment Advice

Before exploring new treatment options, record key details about your water quality and household water use. This includes past water test results if available, daily water consumption rates, and any changes in water taste, staining, or equipment performance. Remember, government data reflect area-wide conditions and don’t substitute for your own water testing. A clear picture of your situation helps choose the right treatment approach.

5. The Order to Rule Out Problems: From Simple Checks to Laboratory Testing

Begin by reviewing your current equipment’s performance and maintenance history to ensure it is functioning as designed. Next, observe any physical water changes such as cloudiness or staining. If issues persist, the next step is a laboratory analysis of your specific water supply for uranium and radium concentration. This test is the definitive way to establish your household’s actual exposure and treatment needs.

Final Step: Invest in a Laboratory Test to Confirm Uranium and Radium Levels

The single most important action is to obtain a laboratory analysis of your household water to measure uranium and radium levels. This test clarifies whether your current treatment is sufficient or if supplementing with a product like the Pentair Uranium & Radium System—which ships ready to configure and offers a documented capacity—can help maintain safe and aesthetically acceptable water quality. Having precise data allows informed decisions tailored to your household’s evolving water quality challenges.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2018-05-23. 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 Alpha particle in the N100BSNRGB aquifer (San Bernardino County): 92 results from 35 wells, median 8.15 pCi/L, range 0.0-56.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold