Deciding How to Address Uranium-Radium in Palm Beach County Household Water

This week, you need to decide which class of treatment is best for managing uranium and radium in your household water if tests indicate their presence.

If Your Household Draws from Deeper or Shallower Wells in Palm Beach County

Government groundwater sampling in Palm Beach County’s aquifer involved wells between 100 and 258 feet deep. The uranium-radium indicator, alpha particle activity, ranged from 0.1 to 2.3 picoCuries per liter with a median of 1.1 pCi/L. These measurements came from multiple wells sampled over several years but do not specify your water’s exact level. Generally, deeper wells may show different concentrations than shallower ones, so your well depth influences what to expect when evaluating treatment needs.

If You Are a Commercial or Industrial Operator Instead of a Household

While households typically focus on the health and aesthetic impact of uranium and radium, commercial or industrial users may need to consider regulatory compliance and process requirements. This means additional testing and monitoring may be necessary to meet workplace safety regulations or operational specifications, beyond what a household water user would require.

If You Need to Decide What to Test or Rule Out First

Begin with knowing your own water’s uranium-radium content through a certified laboratory test. Area-wide government data provide context but cannot replace your specific results. Before investing in treatment, test for alpha particle activity to establish if you have detectable uranium or radium and at what level. Consider also testing the total dissolved solids and other water qualities that affect treatment choice and longevity.

If You Leave Uranium-Radium Untreated in Household Water for Years

Without treatment, sustained exposure to uranium and radium can pose risks, depending on concentration and individual health factors. Over time, uranium and radium can contribute to increased alpha particle activity in water. Treating your water reduces these constituents to enhance overall water quality, addressing concerns where present, though local sampling shows typical levels remain below federal thresholds.

If You Wonder What the Terms Detected, Median, and Range Mean in Your Area’s Sampling Record

"Detected" means alpha particle radiation was measurable in all 16 samples from eight different wells. The "median" value of 1.1 pCi/L represents the middle value when results are ordered, reflecting the typical measurement. The "range" of 0.1 to 2.3 pCi/L shows the lowest and highest alpha particle values found but does not imply violation or safety. None of these results exceeded federal limits, indicating regulatory compliance in this aquifer sampling.

If Plumbing Materials and Age Could Affect Your Uranium-Radium Levels

Plumbing components themselves do not generate uranium or radium but can influence the overall water chemistry and the effectiveness of treatment methods. Older pipes may accumulate minerals or scale that interact with water constituents. Understanding your system materials and age can help in selecting and maintaining appropriate treatment equipment to ensure consistent removal performance.

For households measuring uranium-radium activity in their water, a Fleck Uranium & Radium System ships ready to configure and offers a documented capacity of 32,000 grains to address this challenge based on the levels you find. Evaluating your water testing results alongside area data supports making an informed, effective treatment choice tailored to your needs.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-11-19. 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 aquifer (Palm Beach County): 16 results from 8 wells, median 1.1 pCi/L, range 0.1-2.3 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold