Pattern of distribution of radium 226 in drinking water of Texas

Concentrations of radium (Ra) as high as 65 pCi/L have been reported in some of the public water wells in Texas. Yet, the overall pattern of the geographic distribution of Ra or its decay products has not been determined or mapped. The present study is a step in this direction. The distribution of 226Ra in domestic water, public and individual, in selected regions of the state of Texas was investigated to identify areas where water may contain naturally occurring elevated concentrations of Ra and to provide much needed information for well development and water quality management. Two regions with anomalously high Ra concentrations were identified, one in the gulf coast, with some concentrations over 20 pCi/L downdip from uranium deposits, and the other in west‐central Texas, with some concentrations up to 65 pCi/L on the periphery of an igneous uplift. Otherwise, the concentrations of Ra were low, particularly in the west and northwest of the state.