Water Issues: Radon

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, can seep into your water from underground sources, posing significant health risks. Our specialized water treatment solutions effectively address radon contamination, ensuring your water is safe for everyday use. Learn more about Radon and our solutions to this problem.

Water Issues: Radon

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.

What levels of Radon in water should I be concerned about?

There is currently no federally-enforced drinking water standard for radon. EPA has proposed to regulate radon in drinking water from community water suppliers (water systems that serve 25 or more year-round residents). EPA does not regulate private wells.

EPA has proposed to require community water suppliers to provide water with radon levels no higher than 4,000 pCi/L, which contributes about 0.4 pCi/L of radon to the air in your home. This requirement assumes that the State is also taking action to reduce radon levels in indoor air by developing EPA-approved, enhanced State radon in indoor air programs (called Multimedia Mitigation Programs). This is because most of the radon you breathe comes from soil under the house. This option gives States the flexibility to focus on the greatest problems, by encouraging the public to fix radon in indoor air problems and build homes that keep radon from entering.

Under the proposed regulation, States that choose not to develop enhanced indoor air programs, community water systems in that State will be required to reduce radon levels in drinking water to 300 pCi/L. This amount of radon in water contributes about 0.03 pCi/L of radon to the air in your home. Even if a State does not develop an enhanced indoor air program, water systems may choose to develop their own local indoor radon program and meet a radon standard for drinking water of 4,000 pCi/L.

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Churyk Company Solutions to Remove Radon

To ensure your home's water is free from this hazardous gas, we offer two specialized treatments designed to meet your specific needs. Explore our advanced AIRaider 433 system and our robust Carbon Filter Installation to find the best solution for your household.

AIRaider 433

For nearly 20 years, the AIRaider 433 has successfully and dependably removed radon and VOCs from well water through a unique, patented multi-stage aeration method. It sets the standard by which other water aeration equipment is measured.

AIRaider 433-S Series diffused bubble aeration systems have a built-in submersible pump for easier installation, a smaller footprint and quieter operation. Other features include self-priming pump set up, fail-safe floats and valves and more. Removes up to 99+% of radon.

churyk company diagram to solve radon issues in water

Features Include:

Up to 99% Radon Removal (customer-confirmed; independently tested)
Smaller Footprint (unobtrusive, compact design)
Easy Maintenance (fully accessible, for easy cleaning from the top)
Quieter Operation (the built-in pump reduces audible level of pump noise)
No Sweating (the double-wall foam-insulated tank will not sweat)

Easier Installation - No separate pump and pipes to install. Smaller Footprint - Unobtrusive, compact design. Easy Maintenance - Fully accessible, for easy cleaning from the top. Quieter Operation - The built-in pump reduces audible level of pump noise. No Sweating - The double-wall foam-insulated tank will not sweat. Hands-Free Startup - When switch is on, the S50X model will start automatically as needed. Lead Free - Meets SDWA Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act requirements.

Download:

AIRaider Fact Sheet (PDF)

Carbon Filters Installation

Carbon in water filters is generally safe, especially if the filter has been rated by a third party for material safety. Carbon filters can remove chlorine, odors, tastes, and certain chemicals. Activated carbon filters, which are made of fibers, are more effective than conventional carbon filters, which are made of granules. Activated carbon filters have a multistage system that increases the surface area available for filtration.

A filter with granular activated carbon (GAC) is a proven option to remove certain chemicals, particularly organic chemicals (VOCs), pesticides, PFOS/PFOAs (specific carbon required), microplastics and Radon from water. GAC filters also can be used to remove chemicals that give objectionable odors or tastes to water such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs odor) or chlorine.

However, other chemicals, like iron and nitrate, are not attracted to the carbon and are not removed and another type of filter, such as reverse osmosis (RO) or green sand may be needed. RO filters will also remove certain organic chemicals. This information sheet only addresses GAC filters.

What is granular activated carbon (GAC)?

Granular activated carbon is made from raw organic materials (such as coconut shells or coal) that are high in carbon. Heat, in the absence of oxygen, is used to increase (activate) the surface area of the carbon; this is why these filters are sometimes referred to as “charcoal” filters. The activated carbon removes certain chemicals that are dissolved in water passing through a filter containing GAC by trapping (adsorbing) the chemical in the GAC.

It is very important that the type and concentration of contaminants, and average water use, be known in order to determine the correct size and components of the system. All treatment systems require proper installation and periodic maintenance. Eventually, the ability of the GAC to bind and remove chemicals is used up and the GAC needs to be changed. How often the GAC should be changed needs to be based on contaminant levels and water use. While some filters may last for several years if contaminant levels and/or water use are low, higher levels or use may require more frequent change-outs.