Water used in Luna County homes often comes from the 121GILA aquifer, feeding water to wells drilled hundreds of feet underground. When groundwater from this source is drawn to household taps, it carries with it the natural characteristics of the aquifer, including the presence of substances like Radon-222. Understanding what this means for your household water requires examining the data collected from this region and considering additional steps tailored to your specific well.
What Information Should You Have Ready Before Seeking Advice on Radon in Household Water?
Before discussing treatment options or further water quality steps, note the following details about your water source:
- The depth of your well;
- The date and method of your last water test;
- Any prior measurements of Radon or related compounds in your water;
- Any symptoms or water quality issues you have observed;
- Your household daily water usage patterns.
Gathering this information helps clarify your water’s profile and improves guidance accuracy.
How Does Radon Enter Groundwater in Luna County’s 121GILA Aquifer?
Radon-222 is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in rocks and soil. In Luna County, samples taken from wells about 484 to 605 feet deep in the 121GILA aquifer consistently found Radon present. Radon gas migrates from the rock formations into the groundwater, where it dissolves and travels with the water flowing through the aquifer. When you pump water from your well, radon enters your household water supply through this natural process.
How Many Samples and Wells Were Tested for Radon, and What Does This Tell Us?
The U.S. Geological Survey collected three separate samples from three different wells in this area over a month-long period in 2014. All three detected Radon concentrations, ranging from 510 to 1000 pCi/L with a median value of 580 pCi/L. While this sampling provides a snapshot of radon occurrence in the region, the limited number of wells means it does not capture every variation in the aquifer. Importantly, none of these results exceeded federal limits, indicating levels within regulatory guidelines for groundwater sources. These data do not specify the radon level in any individual well or household—only testing your own water can do that.
How Does the Autotrol Radon in Water Filter Address Radon in Household Water?
The documented solution available is the Autotrol Radon in Water Filter, which ships ready to configure. This system is designed to reduce radon concentrations in water by treating the flow through a media that absorbs or neutralizes radon gas before the water reaches your taps. By applying this technology, households can mitigate radon’s presence in their water supply, which can be an important step especially when personal water tests reveal elevated radon levels beyond regional medians.
What Will a Certified Laboratory Test of Radon in Your Water Report, and How Should You Interpret It?
A certified laboratory test for radon in water reports the concentration in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), reflecting how much radon gas is present in a water sample. The test report helps determine whether your household’s radon level is typical for Luna County’s 121GILA aquifer or if it is unusually high or low. Because radon levels can vary greatly even between nearby wells, only direct measurement of your water supplies a reliable basis for decisions. Comparing your test result to regional figures helps contextualize your water quality without assuming local equivalence.
In summary, while regional data confirm radon is commonly detected in Luna County’s groundwater, this information alone cannot define your household’s exact water quality. Proper testing of your own well water is necessary to identify specific concerns. If elevated radon is found, the Autotrol Radon in Water Filter offers a documented means to reduce radon levels effectively in residential water supplies.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2014-06-11. 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 121GILA aquifer (Luna County): 3 results from 3 wells, median 580.0 pCi/L, range 510.0-1000.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold
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