WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT

As of mid February, 2009, the Madison Health Department has received information about 150 well water tests for uranium throughout town, and about 15% of these well waters have uranium greater than the EPA standard of 30 micrograms per liter.

Residents are urged to test their well water for the presence of uranium.

WATER TESTING FOR URANIUM

Uranium is a common element in bedrock in many parts of Connecticut and water from some drilled wells in Madison is likely to contain a detectable level of uranium.  The form of uranium most common to this area does not pose a risk of radiation poisoning due to a half-life in the billions of years, but it is also a heavy metal and like cadmium, lead or other metals, it can accumulate in kidneys and in high concentrations over extended periods of time can adversely affect kidney function. Residents concerned about the potential health risks of uranium are encouraged to have their well water tested.

Only two laboratories in CT are licensed to test for uranium, but some local labs will arrange to ship samples to approved labs. Residents can pick up sample bottles and drop off samples at these local labs or contact approved labs directly.  Listed below are local labs that can arrange testing followed by the national list of labs approved to test for uranium. For more information about uranium in drinking water go to the following websites.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts150.pdf

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp150-c1.pdf

Connecticut State Health Department Uranium Fact Sheet

Local labs that will arrange testing for uranium:

Labs approved to test for uranium

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