Well Water Radon Testing in Auburn, GA
Challenge
A concerned homeowner called after her home radon test result was over 7.0 pCi/L. We scheduled an appointment to inspect the property and design a system for her home. During our inspection, we found that the home had a private, drilled well. We frequently encounter drilled wells that have never been tested for radon. Radon in water quickly dissipated into the home when water supply fixtures are used. Showers, in particular, can be major sources of radon gas. Radon measurements in water are usually substantially higher than radon in air. For every 10,000 pCi/L detected in water, we expect a 1.0 pCi/L contribution to the air.
We offered to test the water for radon and took a sample to the University of Georgia Extension Office Environmental Services Lab. Testing for radon in water is fairly easy but the technician that retrieves the sample must follow strict guidelines to ensure the radon does not escape when the sample is taken.
The lab reported that the sample we submitted measured 5099 pCi/L. This is an unfortunate result but one that we often see with drilled wells. In addition to the risk of lung cancer from breathing the radon in the air, the water also poses a significant health risk from ingestions.
Solution
Radon issues are always unexpected. Homeowners in Georgia with drilled wells and high radon levels are often facing two mitigation projects. Even though the radon in the water was high, the majority of the radon measured in the air was seeping in with the soil gas. They needed two mitigation systems.
A benefit from partnering with the UGA Extension Office is that they can help give guidance to our customers. The lab supported our conclusion that the air should be mitigated first, using sub-slab depressurization, and then the water should be mitigated using either GAC filtration or aeration. This can be very costly but is necessary to protect the occupants.
We installed a radon mitigation system and the follow-up test demonstrated that the radon in the air was below 2.0 pCi/L. The homeowner contracted with their well company to install a GAC filtration system and planned for follow-up testing of their water.
If you live in Georgia and have a drilled well, we strongly suggest having your water tested for radon in addition to the air. It is necessary to have both results to design an appropriate mitigation system that will keep your family safe.
If you need help navigating your radon results or want to get testing done by a Certified Radon Measurement Provider, call us today at 706-389-9603.
