Pentair Radon in Water Filter

Buy Now

View full details

If your tap water in Pike County sometimes smells earthy or you hear bubbles when you run cold water, you might wonder if radon is involved. Government groundwater samples from Pike County's aquifer 341TMSG show radon is routinely detected, but understanding what that means for your household water requires looking closely at the data and testing options.

How many samples and wells stand behind the figures, and what a small sample means

The U.S. Geological Survey collected 27 radon measurements from six different wells in Pike County's aquifer 341TMSG between 2012 and 2015. These wells were between 140 and 440 feet deep. Because only a handful of wells were tested, the data represent a limited snapshot rather than a comprehensive county-wide survey. A small number of samples means the results show what radon levels were like in those specific locations during those years, but individual wells can vary widely.

What is the order to rule radon concerns out, from cheapest check to laboratory test?

Start by considering any unusual taste or odor changes in your water, though these are not reliable indicators of radon. Next, check for visible bubbling or gas odors near water outlets, which can suggest radon release from water. For definitive answers, a laboratory test specifically measuring radon-222 concentration in your own water is the only way to know your household’s radon level. Home test kits or professional lab analysis are the recommended approach.

Which household or plumbing symptoms do and do not point to radon in water?

Radon is a gas that can escape from water into air during water use, but it has no color, taste, or smell to reliably detect. Common water symptoms like discoloration, staining, or sediment are unrelated. If you experience any health symptoms, they are unlikely to be caused solely by radon in your water without significant exposure confirmed by testing.

What do 'detected', 'median' and 'range' mean in the sampling record on this page?

In Pike County aquifer samples, radon was detected in every measurement, meaning instruments measured radon-222 at levels above their detection limits in all 27 samples. The median result was 500 pCi/L, with values ranging from 250 to 2550 pCi/L. These numbers describe how radon concentrations varied between wells over the sampling period, not a safety threshold or a prediction of your well's concentration. Importantly, none of these results exceeded federal thresholds for radon in water.

How does plumbing material and age impact radon presence separate from source water?

The radon concentration originates underground in aquifers and is not created or destroyed by plumbing materials. Older plumbing does not cause radon, but plumbing condition can affect gas release patterns. For example, gas may accumulate differently in certain pipe materials or layouts, affecting how much radon escapes into indoor air during water use. Still, plumbing changes alone cannot eliminate radon in water.

What you should NOT conclude from these area-wide figures is that your household water has the same radon levels as those sampled wells. Area data provides context but cannot substitute for a certified laboratory test of your own water to determine your specific radon concentration. If you choose to reduce radon in your water, the Pentair Radon in Water Filter ships ready to configure and is designed to reduce radon effectively when set up in your home’s water system.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2015-09-24. 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 341TMSG aquifer (Pike County): 27 results from 6 wells, median 500.0 pCi/L, range 250.0-2550.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold