What Is It?
From the U.S. EPA’s website:
“Beryllium is an inorganic metallic element in the periodic table. Because it is an element, it does not degrade nor can it be destroyed. Compounds of beryllium are either white or colorless and do not have a particular smell. Beryllium naturally enters surface water and ground water through the weathering of rocks and soils or from industrial wastewater discharges. The major source of environmental releases from human activities are coal and fuel oil combustion.”
Is It Harmful?
“Some people who drink water containing beryllium well in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for many years could develop intestinal lesions.”
What is the Maximum Contaminant Level?
The EPA has set both an MCLG, Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, and Maximum Contaminant Level for beryllium. An MCLG is a non-enforceable guideline of sorts for determining safe levels of a contaminant, while an MCL is an EPA-enforced regulation for drinking water supplies. Barium’s MCLG and MCL is 0.004 mg/L (or 4 parts per billion).
How Can I Test for It?
Beryllium testing is best conducted in a laboratory. Both our WaterCheck test kit and our Clean Water test kit include bottles for collecting a sample and mailing it to our lab.
How Can I Treat It?
Beryllium can be treated with alum (aluminum sulfate) injection and filtration, an ion exchange system (water softener), or a reverse osmosis system.