Radon in Water?

Yes, radon gas can indeed enter your home through your water supply. Once inside your home, it could then be released into the air you breathe while the water is being used for showering and other household uses. However the likelihood of radon entering your home through water is much lower than the risk of radon entering your home through the surrounding soils - which is the predominate route of entry. Research suggests that swallowing water that contains high levels of radon may pose health risks, although those risks are believed to be much lower than the risks associated with breathing air that contains radon.

While radon in water is not a problem in homes served by most public water supplies, it has been found in well water. If you've tested the air in your home and found a radon problem, and your water comes from a well, contact a lab certified to measure radiation in water to have your water tested. If you're on a public water supply and are concerned that radon may be entering your home through the water, call your public water supplier.

Radon problems in water can be readily fixed. The most effective treatment is to remove radon from the water before it enters the home. This is called point-of-entry treatment. Treatment at your water tap is called point-of-use treatment. Unfortunately, point-of-use treatment will not reduce most of the inhalation risk from radon. Call the Minnesota State Radon office at (800-798-9050) or the EPA Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) for more information on radon in water.