Radium-226 Levels in Harris County Aquifer Over Time
Government groundwater sampling by the U.S. Geological Survey from 2010 to 2015 measured radium-226 in 46 samples taken from 22 separate wells in Harris County's aquifer 121EVGL. The median radium-226 result was 1.05 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), with values ranging between 0.22 and 4.9 pCi/L. All results were below federal regulatory thresholds. These figures show that uranium and radium levels can vary naturally over several years and between wells.
How Uranium and Radium Enter Groundwater in Harris County
Uranium and radium occur naturally in underground geological formations. In Harris County, these elements dissolve into deep groundwater over time, especially from mineral deposits present in the aquifer. The sampled wells, which ranged between 1305 and 1758 feet deep, reflect these natural sources. The water drawn from these depths may contain measurable but regulated levels of radium-226 due to contact with local rock and sediment.
Interpreting "Detected," "Median," and "Range" in the Sampling Record
Detection means the instrument measured radium-226 levels above the reporting limit in every sample, but detection alone does not indicate unsafe water or a violation. The median value of 1.05 pCi/L represents the middle point of all samples, showing typical levels in the area rather than a maximum. The range from 0.22 to 4.9 pCi/L demonstrates natural variability across wells and times sampled. None of the samples exceeded federal safety limits for radium-226.
What to Document Before Seeking Treatment Assistance
If existing water treatment equipment is no longer adequately managing uranium and radium, it helps to have detailed information ready before pursuing improvements. Homeowners should record the age and specifications of current equipment, any maintenance or performance issues noticed, and water test reports if available. Importantly, obtaining recent water testing results specific to your household water is essential because area data cannot substitute for direct testing of your well or tap.
Steps to Confirm Your Water's Uranium and Radium Levels
Start by reviewing any previous water quality tests you have. Next, consider cost-effective measures such as checking your water source and flow to ensure no system disruptions. Ultimately, the most reliable step is to arrange laboratory testing for uranium and radium concentrations in your own water supply. This testing confirms your household's specific situation and guides treatment decisions.
Once you know your home's radium-226 levels from a certified laboratory test, you will have clarity on whether the C-Series Uranium & Radium System, designed with a 32,000 grain capacity, is appropriate to help manage water quality effectively when existing treatment falls short. This equipment ships ready to configure and is built to address uranium and radium removal where levels justify specialized treatment.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2015-07-20. 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 Radium-226 in the 121EVGL aquifer (Harris County): 46 results from 22 wells, median 1.05 pCi/L, range 0.22-4.9 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold