Should I treat the water or the air for radon?

If radon is coming from your well, point-of-entry treatment such as aeration can reduce it in water. Indoor air mitigation addresses radon entering from soil. A radon professional can help you target the right source.

Testing & SafetyHealth-sensitive topic

Radon in Well Water: Testing and Risks

Radon is a radioactive gas that can dissolve into groundwater and release indoors. This guide covers testing your well and reducing exposure.

By Know Your Well Water Editorial TeamReviewed October 29, 20262 min read

Quick Answer

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can dissolve into groundwater and be released into indoor air when you shower, wash, or cook. Breathing radon over time raises lung cancer risk. Test both your indoor air and, where radon is a concern, your well water using a laboratory equipped for radon analysis.

How radon gets into well water

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in rock and soil. In areas with the right geology, it dissolves into groundwater and travels into your home through the well. The largest health concern is inhaling radon released from water into indoor air, though ingestion carries some risk too.

Private wells and radon

There is no federal drinking water standard currently in force for radon in private wells, and private wells are generally not federally regulated. Because risk is highly local, check with your state radon program for area-specific guidance.

How to test for radon

1Test your indoor air for radon first, since air is usually the main exposure pathway.
2If air radon is elevated or your area is known for groundwater radon, order a water radon test kit from a qualified laboratory.
3Collect the water sample carefully to avoid letting the gas escape, following the lab’s sealed-bottle instructions.
4Discuss results and mitigation options, such as aeration or granular activated carbon treatment, with a radon professional.

Radon is invisible and odorless

You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. Testing is the only way to know whether it is present in your air or water.

Frequently asked questions

Should I treat the water or the air for radon?: If radon is coming from your well, point-of-entry treatment such as aeration can reduce it in water. Indoor air mitigation addresses radon entering from soil. A radon professional can help you target the right source.

Sources & references

Private Ground Water Wells — CDC, accessed October 29, 2026
Protect Your Home’s Water: Private Wells — US EPA, accessed October 29, 2026

This guide is documentary research and general information, not a laboratory analysis or professional assessment of your specific well. See our disclaimer.