Abstract
Exposure to uranium can damage kidneys, increase long term risks of various cancers, and cause developmental and reproductive effects. Historically, home well water in Montana has not been tested for uranium. Data for the Crow Reservation from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) database showed that water from 34 of 189 wells tested had uranium over the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 30 μg/L for drinking water. Therefore the Crow Water Quality Project included uranium in its tests of home well water. Volunteers had their well water tested and completed a survey about their well water use. More than 2/3 of the 97 wells sampled had detectable uranium; 6.3% exceeded the MCL of 30 μg/L. Wells downgradient from the uranium-bearing formations in the mountains were at highest risk. About half of all Crow families rely on home wells; 80% of these families consume their well water. An explanation of test results; associated health risks and water treatment options were provided to participating homeowners. The project is a community-based participatory research initiative of Little Big Horn College; the Crow Tribe; the Apsaalooke Water and Wastewater Authority; the local Indian Health Service Hospital and other local stakeholders; with support from academic partners at Montana State University (MSU) Bozeman.
Highlights
Uranium contamination of groundwater is being increasingly recognized as a health threat to rural residents relying on home wells for their drinking water, in communities with a legacy of mining [1], and where naturally occurring uranium is the source of contamination [2,3,4,5]
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the MCLG after reviewing studies of health effects, and describes the MCLG as “the maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, and which allows an adequate margin of safety
For families on the Crow Reservation who rely on home wells, exposure to uranium and potentially other waterborne contaminants may both contribute to and be exacerbated by existing health disparities
Summary
Uranium contamination of groundwater is being increasingly recognized as a health threat to rural residents relying on home wells for their drinking water, in communities with a legacy of mining [1], and where naturally occurring uranium is the source of contamination [2,3,4,5]. Most of the key studies of health effects from drinking uranium contaminated water have been conducted in other countries [4,6,7,8]. The Crow Tribal community in Montana recognized the potential for uranium contamination of their home wells, tested wells for inorganic and microbial contamination, simultaneously conducted surveys of well water use and treatment, assessed the risk of exposure to waterborne contaminants and conducted outreach to educate rural residents of the health risks of consuming contaminated well water
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