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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Real EPA measurements of radium for Texas water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
Every Texas system with a radium result in EPA's data, sorted by level. Averages of 2012–2019 finished-water samples, non-detects counted as zero — historical, not today's tap.
| City | Level | Period | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort WorthGrade C | 2.50 pCi/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 50.0% | Warning |
| HoustonGrade C | 1.53 pCi/LAverage of 61 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 30.7% | Safe |
| San AntonioGrade A | 0.977 pCi/LAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 19.5% | Safe |
| El PasoGrade D | 0.514 pCi/LAverage of 42 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 10.3% | Safe |
| LubbockGrade A | 0 pCi/LAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 5.00 pCi/L | 0.0% | Safe |
Radium is a radioactive element that accumulates in bones and can cause bone cancer. Long-term exposure increases risk of bone cancer and may also increase risk of leukemia. Radium behaves similarly to calcium, so it deposits in bones and teeth where it continues to emit radiation, damaging bone marrow.
Erosion of natural deposits; found naturally in groundwater, especially in certain geologic formations
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,radium has been detected in 5 Texas water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 22% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 50.0% of the limit.
The EPA MCL for combined radium-226 and radium-228 is 5 pCi/L. The EPA MCL for radium is 5 pCi/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
5 Texas cities have radium detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Increased risk of bone cancer and leukemia from long-term exposure. The most vulnerable groups include growing children and pregnant women.
The most effective methods for removing radium include Ion Exchange (Water Softening), Reverse Osmosis, Lime Softening. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for radium reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for radium is 5 pCi/L.The EPA MCL for combined radium-226 and radium-228 is 5 pCi/L.
This page shows what Texas utilities reported for radium. It cannot tell you what is coming out of your own tap: utility samples are taken across a whole system and averaged, levels vary by address and season, and anything picked up after the water leaves the main never appears in their report.
Home water test kitscheck your own tap before buying any filterRecommended filtration methods for radium removal:
Very effective for radium
Removes 90-95% of radium
Used in municipal treatment
Paid links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Filters are matched to the removal methods listed above for radium.