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Residential Water Systems
Radon Removal From Water
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Click here to view a list of common problems and solutions associated to residential water purification.
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For more information, or to speak with an Atlas representative, please contact us online or call us at (800) 539-1100.
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Radon at a Glance
- Atomic Number: 86
- Atomic Symbol: Rn
- Atomic Weight: 222
- Maximum Contaminant Level being considered, but not yet mandated by the EPA
- = 300 pCi/L (pico curries per liter)
- Alternative Maximum Contaminant Level being considered, but not yet mandated by the EPA
- = 4000 pCi/L (pico curries per liter)
- State Maximum Contaminant Guidelines (in pCi/L);
- Massachusetts = 10,000, New Hampshire = 2,000, Maine = 4,000, Rhode Island = 4,000
- Health Effects
- The EPA has identified radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer, smoking being first. It is the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
- Sources of contamination
- It is produced in the ground through the normal decay of uranium and radium and levels can vary dramatically from one well to another, but most ground water contains some radon.
What is Radon and how does it get into my home from the water supply?
Radon is a gas that has no color, odor, or taste and comes from the natural radioactive breakdown of uranium in the ground. You can be exposed to radon by two main sources: (1) radon in the air in your home (frequently called "radon in indoor air") and (2) radon in drinking water. Radon can get into the air you breathe and into the water you drink. Radon is also found in small amounts in outdoor air. Radon in drinking water, questions and answers
Contact us online or call: 800-539-1100 for information on removing Radon from your water.
Most of the radon in indoor air comes from soil underneath the home. As uranium breaks down, radon gas forms and seeps into the house. Radon from soil can get into any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and build up to high levels in the air inside the building.
Radon gas can also dissolve and accumulate in water from underground sources (called ground water), such as wells. When water that contains radon is used in the home for showering, washing dishes, and cooking, radon gas escapes from the water and goes into the air. It is similar to carbonated soda drinks where carbon dioxide is dissolved in the soda and is released when you open the bottle. Some radon also stays in the water.
Radon is not a concern in water that comes from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs (called surface water), because the radon is released into the air before it ever arrives at your tap.
Why is radon in drinking water a health concern?
Breathing radon in indoor air can cause lung cancer. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe it. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and increase your chances of developing lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. People who smoke have an even greater risk. Not everyone exposed to high levels of radon will develop lung cancer. However, radon in indoor air is the second leading cause of lung cancer. About 20,000 deaths a year in the U.S. are caused by breathing radon in indoor air.
Breathing radon released into the air from tap water increases the risk of lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Some radon stays in the water; drinking water containing radon also presents a risk of developing internal organ cancers, primarily stomach cancer. However this risk is smaller than the risk of developing lung cancer from radon released to air from tap water.
Contact us online or call: 800-539-1100 for information on removing Radon from your water.
Is there radon in my water?
Not all drinking water contains radon. If your drinking water comes from a surface water source, such as a river, lake, or reservoir, most radon that might be in the water will be released into the air before reaching your water supplier or home. Radon is only a concern if your drinking water comes from underground, such as a well that pumps water from an aquifer, though not all water from underground sources contains radon.
If you get your water from a public water system that serves 25 or more year-around residents, you will receive an annual water quality report. A major public right-to-know initiative of the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, these water quality reports will tell you what is in your water (including radon if it has been tested), where it comes from, and how to help protect it.
Water Testing for Radon
When getting your water tested for radon, make sure the proper procedures are followed in getting a sample as improper sample pulls and lack of quick turnaround time to the lab for testing can render your test results invalid and unreliable. Make sure that a Certified State Laboratory is utilized for testing the sample. Speak to your Atlas Water treatment professional about getting a good water sample.
Contact us online or call: 800-539-1100 for information on removing Radon from your water.
Removing Radon from Well Water
If testing your private well shows that you have high levels of radon in your drinking water and you are concerned about it, there are some things you can do to improve the water. The most effective treatment you can apply is to remove radon from the water right before it enters your home. This is called point-of-entry treatment. There are two types of point- of-entry devices that remove radon from water:
- Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters (which use activated carbon to remove the radon).
- Aeration devices (which bubble air through the water and carry radon gas out into the atmosphere through an exhaust fan).
AERATION SYSTEM
R.E Presscott "Bubble-up"® Aeration System:
Effective and Quiet
An Aeration system would be installed on the main water supply just after the well tank. An Aeration system consists of a fiberglass or plastic tank in which water is depressurized and agitated. The best systems will use a combination of spraying the water and agitation in the tank to achieve higher reduction rates. As the water is sprayed and agitated the radon gas is released from the water and then escapes or is blown through a vent, which will terminate outside the house where it mixes with outside air and quickly reaches normal background levels. The vent should be extended above the roof if there is any chance of the radon gas reentering the home and potentially exposing the occupants to high levels of radon. Since no radon is stored in the unit there is very little opportunity for radiation to be given off by the unit itself and there are no disposal concerns.
Proper design, installation (particularly plumbing) and maintenance are critical to the long-term reliability and effectiveness of these systems.
GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON (GAC):
A GAC system would also be installed on the main water supply just after the well tank. A GAC system consists of a large fiberglass tank, which would contain a bed of granular activated carbon (GAC). The carbon bed consists of many tiny carbon particles, which hold on to impurities in the water. This material can hold onto the radon much like a sponge holds water. GAC filters tend to cost less than aeration devices, however, radioactivity collects on the filter, which may cause a handling hazard and could require special disposal methods for the filter. This method of radon removal is not recommended by Atlas water due to the associated risks.
Source: EPA Groundwater and Drinking Water - Radon
Why Choose Atlas Watersystems to solve your radon in water problem?
Atlas Watersystems, Inc. has over 5000 satisfied residential customers in the New England area, because we understand water problems that are specific to this region. Whether your home’s water comes from a private well or is town supplied, we can make it safer and better for drinking, bathing and cooking.
Contact us online or call: 800-539-1100 for information on removing Radon from your water.
Professional Installation by Licensed Plumbers
We install many types of home water filtration systems to correct your water quality problems and fulfill your family’s needs. Our on-staff Licensed Plumbers guarantee that our installations are completed with exceptional quality and workmanship.
Trained Service Professionals are on call 24/7
to deal with maintenance issues and unforeseen problems. We are extremely serious about providing customer service that meets or exceeds expectations and we believe this has been the key to our success as an organization.
Radon in Air:
If you are concerned about radon in your homes air ask your Atlas water representative for the name of a highly skilled air mitigation contractor in your area.
Contact us online or call: 800-539-1100 for information on removing Radon from your water.
Radon information taken from:
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/radon/remove/qa1.html
