Water quality records for Amherst, Massachusetts show Radium detections on file — a finding that places it among the contaminants worth tracking for this area.

Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO Last verified: 2026-04-05

Radium in Amherst Tap Water

Radium has been detected in Amherst, Massachusetts drinking water at a maximum level of 150 pCi/L — 30x the EPA MCL.

This analysis covers 37,184 residents across 3 ZIP codes in Amherst.

Amherst's overall water quality grade is B (73/100).

Is Radium in Amherst Water Safe?

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

Average radium level across Amherst: 100 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 Amherst 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

• Radium — National Overview
• Massachusetts Water Quality
• Amherst Water Quality
• Check Your ZIP Code