Pentair Uranium & Radium System

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Local Aquifer and Water Flow to Residential Taps

Bexar County's primary groundwater source, aquifer 218EDRDA, supplies water from depths between 229 to 2326 feet. Water drawn from this aquifer moves through a network of wells before reaching household taps. Understanding the water's quality begins with knowing what has been measured regionally and what that means for your home.

What the Measured Range Means Against Federal Standards—and What It Does Not

The U.S. Geological Survey conducted groundwater sampling at 23 wells in this aquifer from November 2013 to April 2018, collecting 52 results specifically measuring alpha particle activity—a proxy for uranium and radium presence. The median alpha particle activity was 1.05 pCi/L, ranging from -1.9 to 23.0 pCi/L. Importantly, no sample exceeded federal benchmarks for alpha particle activity. This means that while uranium and radium were detected, their levels in these samples are within the range allowed by federal standards.

Detection of these elements does not signal contamination or health risk by itself, nor does it reflect the specific conditions of any single household well or municipal supply. The data represent area-wide findings and should not be taken as a direct indicator of your home's water quality.

How Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation Shows in the Record

The data span over four years, indicating some variability in alpha particle concentrations in groundwater over time. The range from -1.9 to 23.0 pCi/L shows fluctuations but remains consistently below regulatory thresholds. This suggests that uranium and radium levels experience natural variation typical of groundwater systems influenced by geological factors, seasonal recharge, and well depth.

Comparing This Area's Record With a Neighboring County's Without Overreading It

When comparing Bexar County's uranium-radium data against neighboring regions, differences in geology and sampling depth can influence the concentration range. However, all sampled wells in this aquifer remained under federal limits in the USGS dataset. It’s essential not to infer that a higher reading nearby implies a problem here or vice versa. Each area’s measurements reflect local groundwater characteristics and cannot be generalized beyond their sampling scope.

Sample Size and What a Small Sample Means in This Context

The dataset includes 52 results from 23 wells over several years, offering a moderate regional overview rather than a comprehensive local well survey. A smaller sample size limits the ability to detect rare spikes or localized sources of uranium and radium. Therefore, individual household water may differ and cannot be conclusively assessed without specific testing.

The Role of Plumbing Material and Age Separate From Source Water

While source water can carry uranium and radium, household plumbing materials and the age of pipes do not contribute to these specific alpha particle measurements. Plumbing does affect other water quality factors but does not alter uranium or radium levels, which originate from geological formations underground.

Recommended Testing and Confirming Your Water Quality

To understand your home's water uranium and radium level precisely, a specific alpha particle or radionuclide laboratory test on your water source is necessary. This test will determine if your water’s uranium-radium levels are consistent with the regional findings or if treatment is advisable.

Should results indicate concern, the Pentair Uranium & Radium System, designed with a 32,000-grain capacity, ships ready to configure for residential use. This system effectively reduces uranium and radium concentrations in private water supplies, providing an engineered response once your water’s condition is known.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2018-04-04. 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 218EDRDA aquifer (Bexar County): 52 results from 23 wells, median 1.05 pCi/L, range -1.9-23.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold