How Public-System Records Differ from Private-Well Testing in What They Establish
Government water-quality records rely on samples collected from multiple wells within a geographic area to understand general water quality trends. In Hillsborough County, groundwater data for uranium and radium come from sampling nine wells within the 112NRSD aquifer. These results provide insight into regional concentrations but cannot specify conditions in any individual household well. If you want to know the uranium-radium levels in your home water, a specific laboratory test of your well water is necessary. Area data serve as a guide and comparison, not a direct measurement of your water supply.
What the Measured Range Means Against the Relevant Federal Standard, and What It Does Not Mean
The 18 government samples taken in 2012 from wells ranging 14 to 39 feet deep showed alpha particle activity—which indicates uranium and radium presence—ranging from 0.5 to 23.0 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L). Importantly, none of these results exceeded the federal maximum contaminant level for combined uranium and radium alpha particle activity. This informs us that uranium-radium presence in this aquifer is measurable but not at levels deemed a regulatory concern based on this dataset. However, these figures do not guarantee that every well in the area meets this standard, as localized variations can occur. They also do not measure health risk directly; such assessments depend on detailed analysis of the specific water source.
What 'Detected', 'Median' and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record on This Page
In water testing terminology, 'detected' means the laboratory instrument measured the presence of uranium-radium alpha particles in every sample collected—18 out of 18 in this case. The 'median' of 5.4 pCi/L represents the middle value of all sample results, giving a typical concentration estimate across the area. The 'range' from 0.5 to 23.0 pCi/L indicates the spread between the lowest and highest measured values, reflecting natural variation within the aquifer. None of these terms imply compliance or violation on their own; they simply describe observed concentrations that help characterize groundwater quality.
What Questions a Commercial or Industrial Operator Adds That a Household Does Not
While households typically focus on safety and taste concerns, commercial or industrial users may consider additional factors such as water volume demand, consistency of water quality over time, and equipment capacity to handle uranium-radium concentrations. These users often need to analyze how treatment systems perform under variable load and may require documentation of contaminant removal efficiency for regulatory or operational reasons. For residential users, the primary concerns are understanding whether uranium-radium is present and choosing an effective treatment approach based on actual well water testing.
How Many Samples and Wells Stand Behind the Figures, and What a Small Sample Means
The dataset here consists of 18 results collected from nine different wells over several months in 2012. While this provides a reasonable snapshot of uranium-radium levels in the 112NRSD aquifer beneath Hillsborough County, it is a limited sample size relative to the full extent of local groundwater conditions. The wells sampled were between 14 and 39 feet deep, which may not represent deeper or shallower water sources. Small sample sizes mean that unusual variations could exist outside the tested locations, emphasizing the importance of direct testing for your own water supply before making treatment decisions.
Given the variability and detection of uranium-radium at median and range levels within this aquifer, choosing a reliable water treatment system can help manage concerns once your own water test confirms need. The Pentair Uranium & Radium System ships ready to configure and is designed to reduce uranium-radium concentrations with a grain capacity rated at 32,000, providing effective treatment tailored to household demands.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2012-11-14. 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 112NRSD aquifer (Hillsborough County): 18 results from 9 wells, median 5.4 pCi/L, range 0.5-23.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold
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