Figure 1: Strontium concentrations measured in groundwater wells across the U.S.
Source: USGS
Strontium is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, bedrock, and groundwater and is found across the United States as seen in Figure 1. Strontium was previously used in cathode ray tube (CRT) television screens and is currently used in ceramic magnets and fireworks. Strontium can exist in stable (non-radioactive) and unstable (radioactive) forms. The stable form is the most prevalent, but humans are exposed to low levels of both on a daily basis.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering strontium for regulation in public water supplies. According to EPA's Announcement of Final Regulatory Determinations for Contaminants on the Fourth Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List dated 03/03/2021 ".....since 2016, EPA has worked to identify and evaluate published studies on health effects associated with strontium exposure, sources of exposure to strontium, and treatment technologies to remove strontium from drinking water." As of the last update of this article, EPA has not released a final determination.
What are the effects of strontium in well water?
Strontium is very similar to calcium, and elevated strontium levels can adversely affect bone development and mineralization, as it can interfere with bone health by replacing calcium in bones and suppressing vitamin D metabolism.
When should I test for strontium in my well water?
Strontium is not currently regulated by EPA, but a level of 4,000 micrograms per liter has been set as a health-based screening level. If you live in an area with high strontium levels or having concerns about strontium in your well water, consult with your local health department to determine if you should test your well.
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?". When testing your well water you will very rarely be testing for only one thing, like strontium, 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 strontium in my well water?
There are currently no treatment devices certified for strontium removal. Consult with a water treatment professional to find out the most up-to-date information. Also, the Minnesota Department of Health has developed a Home Water Treatment Guide that covers treatment for common constituents in well water. While strontium is not listed, it is a helpful guide.
If you decide to try an experimental treatment system for strontium removal, it will be important for you to ensure that your device has been certified to remove strontium by an independent third-party certification organization, after EPA releases their final determination and companies begin certifying devices for strontium removal.
Where can I get local help and information about strontium 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 strontium, 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
Home Water Treatment. Minnesota Department of Health
Strontium and Groundwater. Minnesota Department of Health.
Public Health Statement for Strontium. ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
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