A Summary of Natural Radionuclides in Canadian Public Water Supply Systems

Abstract

In an effort to better characterize natural radioactivity levels, including total uranium in public water supply systems, drinking water quality data were reviewed for 24 metropolitan areas and cities which cover more than 64% of the total Canadian population. Levels of radioactivity were generally found to be low compared to national and international guideline standards for drinking water quality. The population-weighted average levels are 0.0021 Bq/L for gross alpha, 0.042 Bq/L for gross beta, 0.0017 Bq/L for ²²⁶Ra, 0.0068 Bq/L for ²¹⁰Pb, and 0.23 µg/L (0.0058 Bq/L) for total uranium. The average effective dose resulting from drinking water intake at these levels would be 4.2 µSv per year.