Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
City of Jeanerette Water System
Radium is a radioactive element that causes bone cancer and other cancers. It can occur naturally in groundwater, and oil and gas extraction activities such as hydraulic fracturing can elevate concentrations. Read More.
Radium releases radioactive particles that harm health in many ways, causing tumors in bone, lungs and other organs; leukemia; and skin and blood damage. Water utilities typically report radium amounts in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is a measure of radioactivity in water. The two most common forms of radium are radium-226 and radium-228. They may be reported separately or together.
Federal law allows up to 5 picocuries per liter of combined radium-226 and radium-228 in tap water. Research by the U.S. Geological Survey shows that in some regions of the country, such as the mid-continental region and North Atlantic coastal region, more than 20 percent of sampled wells have radium in levels exceeding the federal drinking water limit. And the legal limit does not equate safety: The EPA estimates that one in every 10,000 people drinking water containing radium at this level would develop cancer over a lifetime.
California set a public health goal much lower than the federal limit – 0.05 picocuries per liter of radium-226 and 0.019 picocuries per liter of radium-228, concentrations that are lower than the detection limit for most water tests.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2.37 pCi/L | 14 | 14 | 1.08 pCi/L - 4.44 pCi/L |
| 2019 | 3.41 pCi/L | 38 | 38 | 1.21 pCi/L - 5.90 pCi/L |
| 2020 | 2.08 pCi/L | 57 | 55 | ND - 8.96 pCi/L |
| 2021 | 2.15 pCi/L | 53 | 51 | ND - 5.50 pCi/L |
| 2022 | 2.19 pCi/L | 40 | 38 | ND - 8.71 pCi/L |
| 2023 | 2.28 pCi/L | 42 | 42 | 0.89 pCi/L - 7.00 pCi/L |
pCi/L = picocuries per liter
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 0.05 pCi/L
EWG applied the health guideline of 0.05 pCi/L, defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal for radium-226, to radium-226 and radium-228 combined. This health guideline protects against cancer.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 5 pCi/L
The legal limit for combined radium-226 and radium-228, established in 1976, was based on costs for radium removal, as calculated at the time that the standard was set. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to radium exposure.
pCi/L = picocuries per liter
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-06-26 | 35401107001 | 2.58 pCi/L |
| 2018-06-26 | 35401107001 | 2.58 pCi/L |
| 2018-08-06 | 35409480001 | 1.96 pCi/L |
| 2018-08-06 | 35409480002 | 1.96 pCi/L |
| 2018-08-06 | 35409480003 | 4.44 pCi/L |
| 2018-08-06 | 35409480001 | 1.96 pCi/L |
| 2018-08-06 | 35409480002 | 1.96 pCi/L |
| 2018-08-06 | 35409480003 | 4.44 pCi/L |
| 2018-09-10 | 35417595001 | 2.26 pCi/L |
| 2018-09-10 | 35417595001 | 2.26 pCi/L |
| 2018-11-08 | 35430182006 | 2.26 pCi/L |
| 2018-11-08 | 35430182006 | 2.26 pCi/L |
| 2018-11-08 | 2007931-02 | 1.18 pCi/L |
| 2018-11-08 | 2012214-01 | 1.08 pCi/L |
| 2019-01-28 | 35445037001 | 5.90 pCi/L |
| 2019-01-28 | 35445037001 | 5.90 pCi/L |
| 2019-02-13 | 35448574002 | 2.30 pCi/L |
| 2019-02-13 | 35448574002 | 2.30 pCi/L |
| 2019-02-19 | 35449690001 | 5.19 pCi/L |
| 2019-02-19 | 35449690002 | 5.50 pCi/L |
| 2019-02-19 | 35449690001 | 5.19 pCi/L |
| 2019-02-19 | 35449690002 | 5.50 pCi/L |
| 2019-04-23 | 35464430002 | 2.53 pCi/L |
| 2019-04-23 | 35464430002 | 2.53 pCi/L |
| 2019-04-23 | 2106818-01 | 1.21 pCi/L |
| 2019-05-20 | 35470214002 | 3.07 pCi/L |
| 2019-05-20 | 35470214004 | 3.78 pCi/L |
| 2019-05-20 | 35470214006 | 5.19 pCi/L |
| 2019-05-20 | 35470214008 | 2.15 pCi/L |
| 2019-05-20 | 35470214002 | 3.07 pCi/L |
| 2019-05-20 | 35470214004 | 3.78 pCi/L |
| 2019-05-20 | 35470214006 | 5.19 pCi/L |
| 2019-05-20 | 35470214008 | 2.15 pCi/L |
| 2019-08-22 | 35493740001 | 1.44 pCi/L |
| 2019-08-22 | 35493740002 | 2.90 pCi/L |
| 2019-08-22 | 35493740003 | 4.87 pCi/L |
| 2019-08-22 | 35493740004 | 3.07 pCi/L |
| 2019-08-22 | 35493740001 | 1.44 pCi/L |
| 2019-08-22 | 35493740002 | 2.90 pCi/L |
| 2019-08-22 | 35493740003 | 4.87 pCi/L |
| 2019-08-22 | 35493740004 | 3.07 pCi/L |
| 2019-08-22 | 2110974-01 | 1.44 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 35512725001 | 3.50 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 35512725002 | 4.62 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 35512725003 | 3.46 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 35512725004 | 2.38 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 35512725001 | 3.50 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 35512725002 | 4.62 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 35512725003 | 3.46 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 35512725004 | 2.38 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 2117194-01 | 1.27 pCi/L |
| 2019-11-13 | 2119571-02 | 1.89 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-06 | 35529510001 | 2.53 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-06 | 35529510002 | 8.96 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-06 | 2021426-RAW: GREEN ST. BEDROCK | 6.10 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-06 | 202155-WORCESTER RD. WTP (FINI | 1.83 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-06 | 2021630-MORSES POND WELL | 2.86 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-06 | 202168-HEATHER HILL CLUBHOUSE | 0.70 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-19 | 35532997001 | 1.11 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-19 | 35532997002 | 1.68 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-19 | 35532997003 | 3.97 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-19 | 2021412-POINT OF ENTRY POST TR | 0.60 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-19 | 2021415-WELL 2 SOURCE WATER TA | 1.11 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-19 | 2021426-RAW: GREEN ST. BEDROCK | 1.08 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-19 | 2021427-PUMPHOUSE: FINISHED WA | 1.79 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-19 | 202146-RAW WATER: WELL #2 | 2.18 pCi/L |
| 2020-02-19 | 2021512-RAW WATER: WELL #2 JER | ND |
| 2020-03-05 | 35535719001 | 3.13 pCi/L |
| 2020-03-05 | 202146-WELL #1 | 1.45 pCi/L |
| 2020-03-05 | 202156-RAW WATER: WELL #4 | 1.68 pCi/L |
| 2020-03-19 | 35538749001 | 1.80 pCi/L |
| 2020-03-19 | 2021413-LELAND FARMS WELL, FIN | 0.75 pCi/L |
| 2020-03-19 | 2021519-MANLEY STATION (06G,07 | 1.05 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 35551971001 | 2.35 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 35551971002 | 2.66 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 35551971003 | 5.39 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 35551971004 | 2.70 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 2021413-FOREST ST ROCK WELL (0 | 1.22 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 2021414-GREEN RIVER WELL RAW W | 1.34 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 2021416-AVON RES. FINISHED | 2.47 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 2021425-RAW WATER: WELL #3 | 1.02 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 2021512-TREATED: NASHUA ROAD W | 1.68 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 202154-POINT OF ENTRY | 1.13 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 202155-LESCH RESIDENCE, BEAR S | 1.32 pCi/L |
| 2020-05-20 | 202167-HARTFORD AVE. FILTRATIO | 2.92 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 35569140001 | 2.76 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 35569140002 | 5.12 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 35569140003 | 2.75 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 35569140004 | 2.06 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 2021426-RAW: WELL 2 | 0.75 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 202147-PAUL D. DALEY WELL (03G | 1.52 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 2021510-TREATMENT PLANT - FINI | 1.31 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 2021517-COMBINED SPRINGS POINT | 1.58 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 2021525-RAW: WELL #2 | 2.62 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 2021615-RAW WATER: WELL #2 | 2.50 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 202164-RAW: LANCASTER AVE TWF | 1.23 pCi/L |
| 2020-08-05 | 202167-TREATED: SALMON BROOK | 1.18 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 35594835001 | 0.78 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 35594835002 | 2.45 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 35594835003 | 3.41 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 35594835004 | 3.55 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 2021413-WELL #2 | 1.85 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 2021414-SO. CHATHAM TREATMENT | 1.70 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 2021416-AVON RES. FINISHED | 1.45 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 202146-POINT OF ENTRY | 0.78 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 202146-WELL # 7 | 1.00 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 2021511-FENNEL WELLS | 2.11 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-23 | 2021520-535 LOOMIS ST, KERR | ND |
| 2020-11-23 | 2021617-FINISHED: SNAKE POND W | 1.30 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 35617226001 | 2.67 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 35617226002 | 4.41 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 35617226003 | 2.99 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 35617226004 | 1.33 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 20211020-ROCK VILLAGE GP WELL | 0.75 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 20211021-MID-POINT: POST A300E | 1.01 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 2021107-WELLS #1,#2 (01G,02G) | 1.92 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 2021108-EASTON CENTER SCHOOL - | 1.29 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 20211116-LAKE NIP WELL #: 2,1A | 1.31 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 2021112-MORSES POND WELL | 1.70 pCi/L |
| 2021-02-24 | 20211130-FINISHED: ENTRY POINT | 3.42 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 35629138001 | 1.88 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 35629138002 | 3.06 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 35629138003 | 5.50 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 35629138004 | 4.16 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 20211012-POINT OF ENTRY | 1.17 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 20211013-FINISHED: CROSS STREE | 1.99 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 20211013-WELL #1 AND #2 | 1.07 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 20211025-POND ST TREATMENT PLA | 2.28 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 2021106-FINISHED: PATTON REPLA | 3.00 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 2021106-LAKE COCHICHEWICK - WT | 0.71 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 20211214-GP WELL #10 | 1.16 pCi/L |
| 2021-04-26 | 20211217-NORTH ACTON WTP: AFTE | 3.22 pCi/L |
| 2021-05-24 | 35636159001 | 2.50 pCi/L |
| 2021-05-24 | 35636159002 | 2.51 pCi/L |
| 2021-05-24 | 20211013-FINISHED: CROSS STREE | ND |
| 2021-05-24 | 20211025-BRUCE CAHOON WTP | 2.50 pCi/L |
| 2021-05-24 | 2021112-LELAND FARMS WELL, FIN | 0.71 pCi/L |
| 2021-05-24 | 2021113-WELL # 6 | 1.80 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 35649664001 | 2.07 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 35649664002 | 4.74 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 35649664003 | 2.09 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 35649664004 | 2.07 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 20211013-WELL #1 & #2 | ND |
| 2021-07-16 | 20211014-STATION # 1 (01G)-END | 1.36 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 20211028-MID-POINT: CHESTNUT W | 0.71 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 20211117-WELL #3 & WELL #4 | 2.09 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 20211118-CHARLES RIVER WTP - F | 3.52 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 2021114-TOWNLINE HARDWARE | 1.16 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 20211221-HARRIS POND GP WELL ( | 1.22 pCi/L |
| 2021-07-16 | 2021127-WELL #4 AND #5 | 0.91 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 35672244001 | 4.38 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 35672244002 | 4.95 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 35672244003 | 3.07 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 35672244004 | 2.67 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 20211013-MAIN ST. WTF FINISHED | 0.60 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 20211019-POINT OF ENTRY POST T | 2.07 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 20211027-TREATED: SOUTHBRIDGE | 1.25 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 2021105-WELLFIELD # 1 | 3.13 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 20211116-BRATTLE ST VAULT - 3R | 2.06 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 20211118-CHICKERING DR. WELL | 3.88 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 2021119-POINT OF ENTRY POST TR | 1.01 pCi/L |
| 2021-10-15 | 2021128-SCHOOL ST. WELL | 1.07 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-15 | 35697808004 | 3.60 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-15 | 35697854001 | 1.16 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-15 | 35697854003 | 3.26 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-15 | 2022724-WELL #4 RAW WATER SAMP | ND |
| 2022-02-15 | 202281-GOLF COURSE - 685 MAIN | 1.16 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-15 | 202282-CENTRAL FIRE STATION | 1.33 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-15 | 202282-LELAND FARMS WELL, FINI | 1.78 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-15 | 2022913-WASHINGTON PLANT | 1.82 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-15 | 2022914-PATTON TRAIN B POST TR | 1.93 pCi/L |
| 2022-06-02 | 35725716001 | 8.71 pCi/L |
| 2022-06-02 | 35725716002 | 2.04 pCi/L |
| 2022-06-02 | 35725716003 | 4.89 pCi/L |
| 2022-06-02 | 2022714-BILODEAU TREATMENT PLA | 1.71 pCi/L |
| 2022-06-02 | 2022721-WADING RIVER FINISHED | 0.46 pCi/L |
| 2022-06-02 | 2022725-REPLACEMENT WELL #3 | 2.79 pCi/L |
| 2022-06-02 | 202288-221 MAIN ST - DUNKIN DO | 7.00 pCi/L |
| 2022-06-02 | 2022919-HEATHER HILL CLUBHOUSE | 2.10 pCi/L |
| 2022-06-02 | 2022922-12 WINTER ST - DPW HWY | 1.58 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 35748773001 | 1.17 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 35748773002 | 2.24 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 35748773003 | 4.10 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 35748773004 | 2.44 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 2022713-RAW WATER #6.3 HOME FA | 1.17 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 2022719-WELL #3 | 1.25 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 2022720-FRANCIS STREET WELLS | 1.50 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 202281-BOOSTER STATION 181 HIG | 2.97 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 2022811-GP MID-POINT: BETWEEN | 0.74 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 2022817-LONG POND WTP POST TRE | ND |
| 2022-09-16 | 2022928-CHESTNUT WTF POST TREA | 1.19 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-16 | 202297-RAW WATER-WELL #2 FRUIT | 1.13 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 35765444001 | 1.24 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 35765444002 | 2.61 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 35765444003 | 4.59 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 35765444004 | 2.65 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 2022712-FINISHED: MAPLE STREET | 1.24 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 2022713-TURNPIKE LAKE WTP | 1.77 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 2022719-POINT OF ENTRY POST TR | 3.01 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 2022720-W. GLOUCESTER WTP (2-4 | 0.89 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 2022721-WADING RIVER FINISHED | 0.84 pCi/L |
| 2022-12-02 | 202283-PAVESTONE PLANT | 1.56 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 35786270001 | 2.89 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 35786270002 | 2.10 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 35786270003 | 3.94 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 35786270004 | 2.79 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 2023412-WELL #1 ENTRY POINT (A | 1.91 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 2023414-WATER TREATMENT PLANT- | 1.52 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 2023418-ENTRY POINT TAP (AFTER | 1.27 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 2023424-HARTFORD AVE. FILTRATI | 1.07 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 2023523-BOTANY WELL #2 | 1.03 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 2023613-BOTANY WELL (01G,02G) | 1.39 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 2023619-WELL 1: RAW WATER | 1.50 pCi/L |
| 2023-03-08 | 2023623-FINISHED: MACPHERSON W | 2.03 pCi/L |
| 2023-06-21 | 35809659001 | 2.15 pCi/L |
| 2023-06-21 | 35809659002 | 3.19 pCi/L |
| 2023-06-21 | 35809659003 | 5.52 pCi/L |
| 2023-06-21 | 2023412-SPRINGVALE WELL #3A-RA | 1.00 pCi/L |
| 2023-06-21 | 202345-ENTRY POINT AFTER BOOST | 1.12 pCi/L |
| 2023-06-21 | 2023515-143 OLD LYMAN ROAD | 2.19 pCi/L |
| 2023-06-21 | 202352-FINISHED: SPECTACLE PON | 2.45 pCi/L |
| 2023-06-21 | 202353-TREATMENT PLANT - FINIS | 1.03 pCi/L |
| 2023-06-21 | 2023616-SPEC POND WTP (BLEND) | 3.07 pCi/L |
| 2023-08-15 | 35822915002 | 2.46 pCi/L |
| 2023-08-15 | 35822915005 | 4.72 pCi/L |
| 2023-08-15 | 35822915007 | 3.29 pCi/L |
| 2023-08-15 | 2023418-TREATED WATER 01G/03G | 1.57 pCi/L |
| 2023-08-15 | 202343-SOUTHWICK WELLFIELD RAW | 1.07 pCi/L |
| 2023-08-15 | 202346-WHITNEY POND TREATMENT | 1.48 pCi/L |
| 2023-08-15 | 2023517-SPRINGVALE WTP | 1.39 pCi/L |
| 2023-08-15 | 2023613-BRAINTREE WTP - FINISH | 3.24 pCi/L |
| 2023-08-15 | 2023626-WELL # 14 | 1.72 pCi/L |
| 2023-10-04 | 35834148001 | 3.14 pCi/L |
| 2023-10-04 | 35834148002 | 7.00 pCi/L |
| 2023-10-04 | 35834148003 | 2.24 pCi/L |
| 2023-10-04 | 2023418-TREATED WATER 01G/03G | 1.83 pCi/L |
| 2023-10-04 | 2023419-NOTOWN WTP: AFTER TREA | 1.31 pCi/L |
| 2023-10-04 | 202345-170 HAVERHILL STREET | 0.89 pCi/L |
| 2023-10-04 | 2023525-ROCK VILLAGE GP WELL # | 3.15 pCi/L |
| 2023-10-04 | 2023627-WELL #2: SOURCE TAP | 1.35 pCi/L |
| 2023-10-04 | 202366-STA. #4 (GLEN DRIVE WEL | 3.85 pCi/L |
| 2023-12-05 | 35846829002 | 2.49 pCi/L |
| 2023-12-05 | 2023412-75 MIDDLE ST - TOWN HA | 1.21 pCi/L |
| 2023-12-05 | 202368-SOUTH ST. GP WELL | 1.28 pCi/L |