Exceeds EPA Limit Radium EXCEEDS EPA LIMIT

Radium in Alpine, CA Drinking Water

Radium data for Alpine, California · 18,300 residents · 2 ZIP codes

ZipCheckup's reading of Radium in Alpine, California: the highest detected level is 151 pCi/L; the EPA limit is 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228). Radium carries a high health-risk designation.

At elevated levels, Radium is a recognized health concern in drinking water; in Alpine, California, it has been detected in recent samples logged through federal compliance reporting.

151 pCi/L
Max Level Detected
151 pCi/L
Average Level
5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228)
EPA MCL
High
Health Risk
Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange
Best Filter Method

Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO Last verified: 2026-07-13

Radium in Alpine Tap Water

Radium has been detected in Alpine, California drinking water at a maximum level of 151 pCi/L — relative to the EPA MCL of 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228).

This analysis covers 18,300 residents across 2 ZIP codes in Alpine.

Alpine's overall water quality grade is C (68/100).

Is Radium in Alpine Water Safe?

Radium levels in parts of Alpine exceed the EPA MCL of 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228). The EPA requires water systems to take corrective action when this limit is exceeded.

If you live in an affected ZIP code, consider installing a reverse osmosis or ion exchange filter certified under NSF 58 and testing your water independently.

Radium Levels by ZIP Code

ZIP Code Radium Level EPA Limit Status
91903 151 pCi/L 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228) Not comparable

Average radium level across Alpine: 151 pCi/L

Health Effects of Radium

  • Increased risk of bone cancer (radium accumulates in bones)
  • The body treats radium like calcium, storing it in bones
  • Lifetime cancer risk of ~1 in 10,000 at 5 pCi/L
  • No safe threshold for radioactive contamination

Health risk severity: High. Governed by the Radionuclides Rule.

How Radium Gets Into Drinking Water

  • Natural radioactive decay in underground rock formations
  • Groundwater sources (especially deep wells)
  • Mining and industrial waste
  • Higher in regions with specific geology (Midwest, parts of South)

What to Do About Radium in Alpine Water

  1. Reverse osmosis (NSF 58 certified) removes 90%+ of radium
  2. Ion exchange (water softeners) can reduce radium
  3. Point-of-use RO at kitchen tap is most cost-effective
  4. GAC filters alone are NOT effective for radium

Look for filters certified under NSF 58 for radium removal.

Related

Home → Contaminants → Radium → California → Alpine

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Radium in Alpine, CA Drinking Water. https://zipcheckup.com/contaminants/radium/alpine-ca/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-contaminants-radium-alpine-ca,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Radium in Alpine, CA Drinking Water}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/contaminants/radium/alpine-ca/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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