Village: High Level of Radium in Well Water Was 'One-Time Spike'

Lemont’s well water has recently tested ”well below” the maximum level of radium allowed in drinking water, Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves said during a board meeting Monday.

The results come after increased testing following an April scare in which samples showed an amount of radium greater than the maximum allowed in drinking water drawn from two of Lemont’s wells.

Water from the wells has been tested twice since mid-April and results have shown levels of radium acceptable by Illinois Environmental Protection Agency standards.

”I do believe that it was a one-time spike, and we are continually working on it,” Reaves said.

With help from the EPA, Public Works Director Ralph Pukula has examined their softening procedure and continues to tweak it. The Village has four more rounds of testing to complete on the water.

“We do believe we have a handle on the system,” Pukula said. ” As of now, the water is just fine.”

Sample results will be posted on the village website.