Radionuclides
Gross Beta Particle Activity in U.S. tap water
134 public water systems across 18 U.S. states report Gross Beta Particle Activity in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 1 sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
Gross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances.
Why it's regulated
Long-term exposure above the federal screening level increases cancer risk.
At or above the federal limit (1)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Pomona, CA 2024 annual report | 2024 pCi/L | 40.5× the limit |
Within the federal limit (68)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Calverton School, MD 2024 annual report | 19.1 pCi/L |
| City of Hemet, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| City of Menifee, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| City of Murrieta, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| City of Perris, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| City of San Jacinto, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| City of Temecula, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| East Valley Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| Mills Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| Moreno Valley, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| Skinner Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | 18.6 pCi/L |
| Beaches Water, MD 2024 annual report | 10.3–17 pCi/L |
| Escondido, CA 2024 annual report | 13.6 pCi/L |
| Wichita Falls, TX 2024 annual report | 12.3 |
| Beaver Run Mhp, MD 2024 annual report | 12 |
| Beach Harbor, MD 2024 annual report | 11–11 pCi/L |
| Corpus Christi, TX 2024 annual report | 11 pCi/L |
| Edmond, OK 2024 annual report | 10.7 pCi/L |
| B L Mhp, MD 2024 annual report | 10.6 |
| Cedar Cove, MD 2024 annual report | 8.7 pCi/L |
| Broad Creek, MD 2024 annual report | 0–8.6 pCi/L |
| Crofton Odenton, MD 2024 annual report | 0–8.6 pCi/L |
| Cedarville Mhp, MD 2024 annual report | 8.3 pCi/L |
| Fort Worth, TX 2024 annual report | 7.5 pCi/L |
| Chula Vista Sweetwater, CA 2024 annual report | 4.7–7.4 pCi/L |
| Brownsville, TX 2024 annual report | 7.1 pCi/L |
| Lubbock, TX 2024 annual report | 7 pCi/L |
| Norman, OK 2024 annual report | 6.46 pCi/L |
| Burbank, CA 2024 annual report | 0–6.35 pCi/L |
| Oklahoma City, OK 2024 annual report | 6.17 pCi/L |
| Aqualand Campground, MD 2024 annual report | 0–5.8 pCi/L |
| Dallas, TX 2024 annual report | 5.7 pCi/L |
| Centennial, CO 2023 annual report | 5.6 pCi/L |
| Houston, TX 2023 annual report | 5.6 pCi/L |
| Thousand Oaks, CA 2024 annual report | 5.4–5.6 pCi/L |
| Bonnie Brooke, MD 2024 annual report | 5.5 pCi/L |
| Overland Park, KS 2023 annual report | 5.5 |
| Simi Valley, CA 2024 annual report | 5.5 pCi/L |
| Columbia, SC 2024 annual report | 5.36 |
| Mesquite, TX 2024 annual report | 5.3 pCi/L |
| Irvine, CA 2023 annual report | 5.1 pCi/L |
| Chula Vista Otay, CA 2024 annual report | 0–5 pCi/L |
| Glendale, CA 2024 annual report | 0–5 pCi/L |
| San Diego, CA 2023 annual report | 5 pCi/L |
| Torrance, CA 2024 annual report | 0–5 pCi/L |
| Los Angeles LADWP, CA 2023 annual report | 4.8 pCi/L |
| Richardson, TX 2024 annual report | 4.7 pCi/L |
| Austin, TX 2024 annual report | 4.5 pCi/L |
| Carpenters Point, MD 2024 annual report | 4.5 pCi/L |
| Chesapeake, VA 2023 annual report | 4.1 pCi/L |
Showing 50 of 68. The full list is in the JSON API.
Frequently asked
+What is Gross Beta Particle Activity?
Gross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. Long-term exposure above the federal screening level increases cancer risk.
+What is the federal limit for Gross Beta Particle Activity in drinking water?
The federal Public health goal for Gross Beta Particle Activity is 0 pCi/L. The EPA enforces this against the regulated reporting statistic (typically a running annual average or 90th percentile), not a single-sample spike.
+How many U.S. water systems have Gross Beta Particle Activity over the federal limit?
1 of the 134 public water systems on The Water Map report Gross Beta Particle Activity at or above its federal limit, spanning 18 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if Gross Beta Particle Activity is in my city's tap water?
Search your city on The Water Map (https://www.thewatermap.com/) or browse the list on this page. Every U.S. public water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report that lists every contaminant it measured, including Gross Beta Particle Activity.
See Gross Beta Particle Activity on the map
Color-coded by status across the whole country.
Open the map →