Barium is a naturally occurring mineral. Discharge of drilling wastes, discharge from metal refineries and erosion of natural deposits can contaminate drinking water. It is most commonly found in Alaska, Arizona, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, and Tennessee. If barium is in a compound that is very soluble, or dissolves easily in water, it is more likely to be found in well water. Acidic water (with low pH) can make these compounds more soluble. Barium sulfate, sometimes used by doctors to perform medical tests, is not soluble in water.
You cannot see, taste, or smell barium in your well water. Barium is listed as a primary contaminant by the USEPA because high levels of barium can have potential health effects. If you suspect high barium levels in your well water, it is recommended to have your water tested for barium.
What are the effects of barium in well water?
Gastrointestinal issues (vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea)
Difficulties breathing
Changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm
Muscle weakness
Brain swelling
Damage to liver, kidney, heart, and spleen
When should I test for barium in my well water?
The safe level of barium in well water is less than 2.0 milligrams per liter according to the USEPA. If you have specific concerns about the barium levels in your well water, it is recommended to consult with your local health department or a licensed health professional for further guidance.
To ensure you are protecting your family’s health, we have developed a set of recommendations for testing that are provided in our article, "What do I need to know about sampling my well water?" , that includes barium. When testing your well water you will very rarely be testing for only one thing, like barium and instead testing for a suite of constituents that are important to identify if in your drinking water.
What treatment should I use if there is barium in my well water?
Once you test and have decided to treat your water to remove barium, the Minnesota Department of Health has developed a Home Water Treatment Guide that covers treatment for any common constituent in well water. The most important advice we can provide you is if you are going to add treatment to your home water system, be sure the treatment device has been certified to remove barium by an independent third-party certification organization.
Where can I get local help and information about barium in my well water?
Contact your local health department – They can help you interpret your sample results and may have information on the best treatment options for your situation. If they personally aren’t able to answer your questions, they will know who to contact who will be able to help you, likely at your state health department.
Contact a water treatment professional - we would recommend contacting a water treatment professional who has been certified through the Water Quality Association’s Professional Certification Program.
State or Federal Geologic or Water Resource Agency – they may have completed field studies of your area or collected samples from water wells to map and understand the water quality in your state. In addition, they may house water well logs, including yours, or be able to provide additional information about the aquifer your well is getting water from.
Consult your well driller or drilling contractor – the contractor that drilled your well, and other local contractors, may be aware of the water quality issues nearby including high iron, and might have worked with other well owners in your area to solve this issue .
Research online – you should be inquisitive; it will help you significantly because there may be great information available online. Use search terms like “my state (CA, ME, IL, etc.) water well logs”, “my state groundwater quality”, or “my state well water quality”.
Contact us directly – if these other local sources don’t work out for you, we may be able to help. We may be able to provide direct assistance, and/or direct you to a technical assistance provider in your area who can help answer your questions (free service funded by USEPA).
Additional Resources
Barium Fact Sheet - Water Quality Association
Barium & Private Wells - NC Department of Health and Human Services
Barium & Well Water - Water Systems Council
Home Water Treatment - Minnesota Department of Health
Want to learn more about your private well and how to care for it?
Sign up for the free 10-week email course from PrivateWellClass.org. The class is a project of RCAP and the University of Illinois, with funding from USEPA.
Not finding the answer you need?
Send us a message in the chat or call us at 1-866-945-0699.