New Hampshire and Maine water well owners should take radon in water very seriously. The EPA estimates that radon breathed in the home is responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually.  This gas is released when radon-tainted water is exposed to open air through turning on a faucet, taking a shower, doing laundry, etc. Likewise, consuming drinking water contaminated with radon presents significant risk of stomach cancers.

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What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and naturally occurring radioactive gas produced from the decay of the element radium. Radium occurs naturally in rocky soil worldwide. Radon gas can dissolve in ground-water and later be released in the air during such normal household activities as showering, dish washing and doing laundry. When radon accumulates in indoor air it can pose an increased health risk, primarily, lung cancer. Radon in water is extremely dangerous and the EPA estimates that in-home exposure to radon gas causes 20,000 cancer deaths annually.

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How much radon is too much? 
The U.S. EPA has set an advisory “action level” of 10,000 p Ci/L for radon gas in water. While not a mandated health standard, the level is a guideline for people to use in assessing the seriousness of their exposure to airborne radon. Concentrations noticeably lower than 10,000 p Ci/L are desirable.  

 
Radon accumulates in water as it moves through underground radon deposits. Most water from streams, lakes and other natural sources contains safe amounts of radon because much of the radon it contains escapes when the water meets open air. Water wells are more susceptible to high amounts of radon because no such natural venting occurs in the closed system of a water well.  

Given the abundance of private water wells in New Hampshire and Maine, it’s critical to test water for radon and treat any radon-laced water. Rest assured that Hartley Well Drilling installs sophisticated systems to protect against radon and ensure the long-term safety of your drinking water.
 
Our Solution – R.E. Prescott Windsor Radon Water Filter System
Hartley Well Drilling installs the world-class R.E. Prescott Windsor water filter system to reduce radon in water to lastingly safe levels. The Windsor filter system utilizes “bubble up” technology which forces air at high pressure through water in a specially-designed tank, separating or “bubbling up” radon from water and venting it out into open air. 

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An Ideal Radon Water Filtering Solution
- Compact size—unit is smaller than an average clothes washer, being just 18” in diameter and 55” tall and the accompanying blower can be wall-mounted or secured to the top of the filter unit.
- Quiet operation--highly-insulated blower limits noise pollution.
- Safety Features—overflow relief valve and run-dry pump protection.
- High-quality parts
o   1” stainless steel bypass valve for water in/out
o   Stainless steel valves
o   2” air connection out
o   NSF-approved, heavy-duty polyethylene “tank within a tank”
o   Nickel-plated fittings (no lead or brass)
- Efficiency—removes 98% of radon in treated water.

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Advantages Over GAC Water Filtering
The two most common methods of treating radon in water are granular activated carbon (GAC) and aeration. Though less expensive to install than aeration systems, GAC systems require regularly replacing pricey carbon filters while aeration systems require only annual maintenance. 

 

GAC filters also collect radioactive materials and require special protection such as a radiation shield around a unit and locating equipment outdoors or at least far away from living spaces. Further, GAC filters must be disposed of by trained professionals and can wear out long before well owners realize, resulting in unknowingly drinking and using dangerous radon-tainted water.

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If your water is radon-contaminated, call us immediately at 603-323-7924 to discuss long-term solutions. The health of your loved one and your own health may be at stake.