Removal of radium from drinking water

The findings on 226Ra occurrence show that the maximum contaminant levels for 226Ra are exceeded in certain hydrogeological formations, both in groundwater and in surface water, in the latter case due to the release of liquid wastes from industrial uranium facilities, including mines and refineries. With the consumption of drinking water increasing throughout the world, it will be necessary to tap resources that have not been considered yet because of their higher content of radioactive substances. Treatment technologies also require modification in those cases where detailed investigations have subsequently revealed the higher 226Ra content. The major concern with public water supplies is soluble radium in groundwater. Soluble radium exists in water as a divalent ion, similar in chemical behaviour to calcium and magnesium. The 226Ra content must be kept as low as reasonably achievable, economic and social factors being taken into account. The problem of reducing the content of 226Ra has been studied in the laboratory and at the pilot plant and operational scales. The problems of sludges, solid wastes and efficient technology costs are being dealt with. Data available so far are presented in the following sections. 30 refs, 7 figs, 15 tabs