Another well question -Uranium

[JJ]

I have been helping my in-laws downsize and sell their home in Maine they had for ~30 years.
We finally get and accept an offer, and have had inspections and water tested by the buyers.

The water came in with Uranium at 74.1 ug/L
The upper epa limit is 30ug/L

There is no way my inlaws can afford $10-20K for point of entry reverse osmosis.

Anybody have any experience with Uranium point of use reverse osmosis, or with Ion exchange using anion resin (like water softener)?

      Thanks -JJ

[Crusarius]

First step would be another sample just to be sure. and make sure you are in control of it the entire time. Unfortunately after a go round I had I do not trust anyone anymore.

[Southside]

Never heard of Uranium in a well in Maine. Arsenic is a problem. I would get a second test for sure.

[barbender]

In Wyoming I wouldn't be surprised, they put wells down and distill the water to extract uranium. In Maine, I'd never heard of it.

[JJ]

When I research uranium in water, Maine is only source for information
And most info is by water treatment company, only info from state:
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/eohp/wells/documents/uraniumresultstipsheet.pdf

  JJ

[Southside]

What County is the property in?  

[JJ]

Cumberland County.  Just outside of Freeport where LL. Bean is.

     JJ

[reride82]

I have been helping my in-laws downsize and sell their home in Maine they had for ~30 years.
We finally get and accept an offer, and have had inspections and water tested by the buyers.

The water came in with Uranium at 74.1 ug/L
The upper epa limit is 30ug/L

There is no way my inlaws can afford $10-20K for point of entry reverse osmosis.

Anybody have any experience with Uranium point of use reverse osmosis, or with Ion exchange using anion resin (like water softener)?

     Thanks -JJ

The upper limit for drinking water is 30ug/L, but use for cooking, showering, etc is 130 ug/L. I wouldn't suggest a point of entry system, but definitely a point of use system which is substantially cheaper. Set it up to feed the kitchen sink and the fridge water dispenser/ice maker. Uranium, Radon, and Radium is found in low dosages in a fair amount of igneous rock formations naturally and most of the time it isn't an issue until it is. I would get it re-tested at a separate lab if possible and definitely keep tabs on the chain of custody. Maybe come to an agreement with the buyer to split the cost of the reverse osmosis system?
Levi

[SwampDonkey]

I've never heard of it in water around here in New Brunswick. But in new homes these days, they make you put in conduit under the basement slab to test for radon gas. Never had it here, same site as the old house, same well.

I hope they find an affordable solution. Government involved will cost you money every time.

[Corley5]

How do you dispose of the RO's radioactive discharge?

[JJ]

Thanks for the replies..
I have a tentative estimate of $2400 for point of use reverse osmosis, and am getting more information about it.

The system I am told tees off the cold water line, and is a separate tap for the clean water.   I think the uranium just passes through the existing faucet.  I will know more when I get the estimate.

       JJ

[PoginyHill]

Only a tiny portion of naturally occurring Uranium is radioactive (0.7%). Probably no more than naturally occurring radiation from other sources (e.g. potassium, radon) or "cosmic" radiation from the atmosphere, which is the largest dose of radioactivity for most people.

[Ianab]

How do you dispose of the RO's radioactive discharge?

The level of Uranium we are talking about is going to be barely radioactive. If the area has Uranium bearing rocks the natural background radiation is probably going to be in the higher part of "normal" anyway, which isn't an issue, unless you start collecting radon in your basement. 
It's mostly that it's a heavy metal, and you don't want to be drinking very much of any of them.  

A RO filter for drinking water is probably the best solution.