Is There Uranium or Radon in Your Brookfield Drinking Water?

BROOKFIELD, CT-- In the First Selectman's March 2016 "Brookfield Matters" newsletter, the Town's Health Department shared that substances such as Uranium and Radon are naturally occurring in some of the groundwater in Connecticut.

The Health Department's statement read:

"This is particularly true in some areas of Brookfield, where the underlying bedrock consists of what has been called younger granite. These substances may leach into well water and may be harmful to humans if consumed in significant quantities. Much of Brookfield's water is derived from private wells. The remainder is supplied commercially, particularly by the Aquarion Water Company, from wells which are tested frequently for the presence of these substances and regulated by the State. However, there is no such regulation of private wells. It is up to the individual homeowner to determine the safety and integrity of his/her own water quality. The Brookfield Health Director, under State Statute, has established a policy wherein all newly drilled wells, or deepened or hydrofractured existing wells, must be tested for the presence of Uranium and Arsenic before receiving approval for use. Uranium is a radionucleide, i.e. radioactive to a minor degree, and may harm the kidneys if consumed in large quantities and over long periods of time (25 years, by some estimates). Radon is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer accounting for about 20% of such cancers."

The Brookfield Health Department recommends that residents with a private well should test their water at least once every three years. Call the Brookfield the Health Department staff at (203) 755-7315 or visit their website for more information.