Homeowners should know the risks of uranium in drinking water. Uranium is a radioactive heavy metal with no smell or taste, making it difficult to detect without testing. Well-owners, in particular, are responsible for their drinking water and must be extra vigilant. Those using municipal water sources should be concerned as well. According to research performed by The Lancet, “uranium is an under-recognized contaminant in community water systems.” 1 While the EPA sets maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), many public water systems are found to be in violation. Uranium MCL is 30 µg/l (micrograms per liter) or 30 ppb (parts per billion) in drinking water. According to a Columbia University study, two-thirds of US community drinking water systems have detectable levels of uranium.2
Side Effects of Chronic Exposure to Uranium
Exposure to uranium in drinking water can cause cardiovascular disease and liver and kidney damage. The EPA states that “In addition to the risks of cancer posed by uranium and all other radionuclides, uranium is associated with noncancer effects, and the major target organ of uranium’s chemical toxicity is the kidney.”3 It is also thought that long-term exposure may cause cancer. If you feel you’ve been exposed to uranium, you can have a urine or stool test to determine if it has affected your kidneys. Uranium can be found in urine for months after having been exposed. Uranium in the body is primarily ingested, and unless it is found at high levels, bathing is usually not a problem.
How Does Uranium Get Into Drinking Water?
Uranium is a natural substance present in soil, rocks, animals, and plants. Rain can cause uranium to wash into lakes and rivers. Human manufacturing, mining, and milling can also release uranium into the environment. According to the following map, you can see quite a few areas with high concentrations of uranium. Note that gray areas are not safe; the data is actually not available. This means that if you are unsure about your water quality, you may want to take control of your water supply with a Pure Water Distiller.
Remove Uranium with a Water Distiller
The most reliable method to remove uranium from drinking water is a Pure Water distillation system. Pure Water distillers have been proven effective by 3rd party lab testing, with over a 99% reduction in uranium. Distillation is the most effective because of the phase change from liquid to gas. This allows clean, pure water to rise as steam, and the uranium is left behind to be rinsed away instead of ingested. There isn’t a better way to purify water than using a water distiller because it mirrors the hydrologic cycle. A water distiller will remove uranium, but it also removes other known and unknown contaminants from your water supply.
Information & Testing for Uranium
Do you have questions about uranium, heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, or viruses that might be present in your drinking water? You can Google information about your municipal water system and see their yearly report to learn which contaminants might be present in your tap water. You can also purchase water testing kits, although they are usually for specific pollutants. If you are a well-owner, you can contact your state’s health department for more information or help with testing. If you are ready to take charge of your home’s drinking water, and you are looking for something reliable, made in the USA, and will last for years, then a Pure Water Distiller is right for you.
| Pitcher Filters | Pure Water Distillers |
|---|---|
|
97% (Effectiveness Goes Down with Each Gallon) |
Over >99%
(Effectiveness is Maintained with Each Gallon) |
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I have the 3 liter unit and can I run rain water I collect in my rain barrels?
Hello. Yes, you can use rain water through the distiller. I would recommend at least running it through a pre-filter/fine sieve of sorts just to get any floaters or large particulates out of the source water.