People who live in the northeast corner of Bountiful, Davis County, Utah, have extra radium in their water.
According to Bountiful water officials, there is no emergency in light of this information.
A notice was sent to residents who live from 400 E. Orchard Drive east toward the mountain, and Millbrook Way north to the Centerville border. Bountiful City Water says that that quarter of the city's water comes from one impacted well.
During a recent water test collected on June 15, 2021, the city discovered an increase in the levels of combined radium (radium-226 and radium-228) in the 17.8 Well on Davis Boulevard, reported the city’s news release.
These levels exceed the U.S. EPA Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) for combined radium, according to the city’s news release. The EPA annual standard for combined radium is 5 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), and the average combined radium levels of the recent tests were 9.7 pCi/L.
There are many naturally occurring minerals and elements in the city’s culinary water system, which water officials state is normal. Even further, the change is believed to be due to extreme drought conditions and natural changes in the aquifer at this site.
What is Radium?
Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal that exists as one of several isotopes and it can be found at low levels in soil, water, rocks, coal, plants, and food.
“Some people who drink water containing Radium-226 or Radium-228 more than the MCL over many years might have an increased risk of getting cancer,” said the city’s news release.
Citizen efforts to reduce water consumption during this extreme drought year have made a noticeable difference, according to the city.
You do not need to use an alternative water supply, according to city water officials. However, you should consult your doctor if you have specific health concerns.
