Inorganic
Barium in your water
Health effects
Barium dissolves into water naturally from rock and can also come from drilling and industrial discharges. Drinking elevated levels over time can raise blood pressure and stress the cardiovascular system. It is fairly common in some groundwater sources.
The guideline vs. the legal limit
The federal legal limit is the maximum allowed by law. The EWG health guideline is what independent scientists consider safe — it is often far stricter.
Health guideline (EWG)
700 ppb
Federal legal limit (MCL)
2000 ppb
Source: EWG Tap Water Database & EPA MCLs · 2026
What removes Barium
Culligan · Water Softeners
Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Water Softener
- type
- salt-based ion exchange
- smart
- true
- flow gpm
- 10-20
Kinetico · Water Softeners
Kinetico Premier Series Water Softener
- type
- non-electric twin-tank ion exchange
- smart
- false
- flow gpm
- up to 24
RainSoft (Aquion) · Water Softeners
RainSoft EC5 Water Conditioning System
- type
- salt-based ion exchange
- smart
- true
- flow gpm
- varies by tank
SoftPro (Quality Water Treatment) · Water Softeners
SoftPro Elite Water Softener
- type
- salt-based upflow ion exchange
- smart
- true
- flow gpm
- up to 20
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Is Barium in your water?
Check your city's public record, then book a free 30-minute test to confirm what's in your home.