How is Radon Removed From a Well?

Radon is found in the ground. It is harmful if breathed in or ingested. However, because of its odorless and colorless nature, you don't know when you're exposed to it. While most people think of radon in the air, it can also leech into your drinking water if you get it from a private well.

If found in a well, there will definitely need to be a radon mitigation system installed. To better understand the removal methods used, first familiarize yourself with:

Why does it matter if there is radon in drinking water?
How does radon get in drinking water?
How do you determine if radon is in water?
What are the methods of radon removal?

It's time to take action and learn more about how to remove radon from your well!

Living on well water is something many people do without considering the overall risks. While drinking radon will not make you glow like a being from outer space, there are still significant health risks you must consider.

Research provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer after smoking. When you turn on the faucet to bring water into the house, radon gas gets into the air. You then inhale the clear, odorless gas leading to potential problems over time.

While radon causes approximately 89% of all lung cancer cases, it is far from the only cancerous form. This same research indicates that drinking water contaminated by radon is responsible for about 11% of stomach cancer cases.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the soil. While you can find it in all areas, some spots are prone to higher concentrations of it. As uranium in the ground, rocks, and even groundwater begin to decay, it produces radon. Areas with granite, granitic sand, and gravel formations are more prone to seeing higher radon levels.

Radon gas dissolves into the water. When you turn on the inside faucet to shower or clean, radon particles become disturbed and released into the air. Radon is less likely to come from sources at or above ground level as it can release into the air before it gets pumped through your home. However, if you are using groundwater from a well, there is a chance it could be contaminated.

Most city water and sewage systems test for radon and take appropriate actions to reduce levels before it gets to your home. However, if you use a private well, you need to contact your state certification officer. They will give you a list of labs in your area that will test your water.

A professional will take samples and have them analyzed. You will then receive a report with the overall levels indicated. However, there is no "federally-enforced" standard for drinking water. The EPA does regulate city and community suppliers but not private wells.

City suppliers must keep water radon levels below 4,000 pCi/L, and private well owners should follow the same standard. If the number in your report is higher than 4,000 pCi/L, you should contact a radon removal specialist.

A professional installs the Granulated Active Carbon (GAC) treatment system at the point where the well water enters your house. Suppose you have multiple water treatment systems, such as a water softener. In that case, he or she will install the GAC system in line after the softener treatment.

As water passes through the carbon filter, it traps the radon gas. Eventually, you will need to replace the filter with a fresh one. The GAC system also filters more than just radon. It helps to filter out other contaminants to keep your family healthy. Again, be vigilant about changing the filters.

Cost-wise, the GAC system will be your best option. However, you do have to pay for new carbon filters which can get expensive if you frequently replace them.

Of the two treatment systems, removal professionals consider the aeration system to be the best. Like the GAC system, you install it next to where the well water goes into your house. However, it does not have to go in before any other water treatment system.

The aeration system is a large plastic tank that's filled with well water. A hose injects air into the water, releasing radon atoms. Then, a venting system pulls the contaminated air out and expels it out of the house, "generally through a pipe leading up to the roof."