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20 July 2008

Answer to Question #4140 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Environmental and Background Radiation — Fallout

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I was recently told by my doctor that there is radiation contamination in the groundwater in our area. We have our own well supplied by the Coconino aquifer in Taylor, Arizona. The contamination is supposed to have been the result of nuclear experiments near here years ago. Can you tell me if our groundwater in this area is at dangerous levels, so we can switch to bottled water if need be? Also would it affect the food that we grow?

The only way to know whether you have radionuclides above safe limits in your well is to have the water tested. In Arizona, the quality of drinking water from public water systems is regulated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and is required to be tested periodically. The term public water system refers to any water system that has 15 or more service connections (hook-ups) or serves 25 or more people. Water systems that serve less than 15 service connections or 25 people are considered private water systems and are not regulated by ADEQ, nor are they required to be tested. Thus the water quality of your individual well is neither regulated by the state nor subjected to mandatory testing. However, you can have the well tested yourself and there are available resources to owners of private wells and these nonregulated systems.

ADEQ strongly encourages private well owners to collect periodic water samples to test for bacteria and other contaminants. The Arizona Department of Health Services Environmental Laboratory Licensure Program can provide information about proper laboratory procedures and laboratories certified to perform drinking-water analysis. The ADHS Environmental Laboratory Licensure Program can be reached at 602-364-0720.

Tom Gesell, PhD

Answer posted on 23 November 2004. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.