Uranium in Drinking Water

Data source: U.S. EPA

What Is Uranium in Drinking Water?

Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element found in some rock formations. It dissolves into groundwater, particularly in areas with granite and other uranium-bearing geology. The western United States and parts of the Midwest have the highest natural uranium levels in groundwater.

Health Effects

• Kidney toxicity — uranium is a chemical toxin before it is a radiation hazard at drinking water levels
• Long-term exposure above 30 µg/L: kidney damage and impaired renal function
• Cancer risk — the radioactivity of natural uranium in water contributes a small additional cancer risk
• Bone effects — uranium can accumulate in bone tissue

EPA Standards

• MCL: 30 µg/L (micrograms per liter)
• Regulated under the Radionuclides Rule alongside radium and gross alpha
• Some states (notably California and New Mexico) have higher natural uranium levels

How to Remove Uranium

• Reverse osmosis — removes 95%+ of uranium
• Strong-base anion exchange — effective at municipal and point-of-use scale
• Activated alumina — used in some treatment systems
• Standard carbon filters do NOT remove uranium