Sandra from Saskatchewan Writes:

How do you safely remove for drinking from a private well?

Thanks for the question, Sandra.

Uranium is common to aquifers in or in contact with a sedimentary based bedrock, like the kind you have in Saskatchewan. It can also be found in granite, so is common to well waters in England, among other places.

The accepted maximum safe level of uranium in drinking water is 20 parts per billion in most parts of Canada. If you have not already done so, it is advisable to have your drinking water tested.  You should be able to find a laboratory that tests for uranium locally. If you cannot locate one, contact your municipality, they should be able to direct you to the lab closest to you.

Uranium is a heavy dissolved metal, and can be removed one of two ways:

1. Reverse Osmosis Filtration
2. Distillation

Distillers are expensive and hard to maintain. Your best option is to use a reverse osmosis filter. R.O. filter. These filters can be purchased relatively inexpensively in small sizes, small enough to fit under your kitchen counter and provide water through a special tap, which can be used for drinking and cooking.

Reverse Osmosis filters are the tightest filters, removing almost all dissolved substances from your water.  This creates a few problems. Firstly, the water must be very clean before entering the R.O. filter, or it will clog it up quickly.  When selecting your R.O. filter, most good manufacturers will provide several pre filters with your R.O. filter to preserve the integrity of the filter.  It is also important to purchase a good quality R.O. filter to ensure that it has high removal efficiencies for dissolved contaminants like uranium.  Make sure that the filter is NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certified or has similar accreditations.

The other issue with reverse osmosis water is that it tends to be corrosive.  R.O. water, plain water by itself with no dissolved minerals will take those minerals from wherever it can, like a sponge.  If you plan on drinking R.O. water on a regular basis, ensure that you also take a daily multivitamin to help replace minerals lost from this water.  Even better, ask the manufacturer if he can provide a remineralizer.

Reverse Osmosis filters are a very common staple filter among water treatment companies.  While they can be inexpensive in the “under the counter” style, it is important you don’t buy cheap.  A good quality filter will go a long way to protecting you and your family from the uranium you are concerned about.  Peace of mind is worth a few extra dollars.

I do know of a manufacturer of R.O. systems in Winnipeg, Manitoba that can help you if you cannot find a good system locally. Visit http://www.waterite.ca/ for more information.

I hope I’ve been helpful, please do not hesitate to write in again for clarification or to ask another question.

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