Glastonbury plans for wells high in uranium

GLASTONBURY – The town is working with a pair of water companies as it helps homeowners deal with high levels of uranium in their wells.

For the past few months, the town has been testing well water in the Chestnut Hill area of Glastonbury to determine the extent of the uranium contamination. The town is also collecting results from across town to determine if there are any other problem areas.

While town health officials and the state Department of Health work through the testing process, the town is in early discussions with Manchester Water Company and the Metropolitan District to extend water service into the impacted areas.

“We continue to work hard on this,” Town Manager Richard J. Johnson said. “We have talked to the state Department of Public Health. They are very supportive of efforts working with both MDC and Manchester Water to extend public water as applicable…this is an iterative process that will require extensive planning and coordination.”

Johnson said the town has applied for grants and loans under the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

“We are putting in an application as a placeholder for any design and feasibility study,” he said. “It doesn’t commit the town to any particular action, but puts us in a good position. We think it’s a good idea as a placeholder to protect the town’s interests.”

The health department is collaborating with the state Department of Health and state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to study well water in the Chestnut Hill Road neighborhood, between Coleman Road and Sunset Drive, after a well water test came back with elevated levels of naturally-occurring uranium and radon, as well as 1,2dichloropropane, a soil fumigant once widely used by farms.

Uranium occurs naturally in some Connecticut bedrock groundwater and can enter drinking water wells. Officials note the amount of uranium in bedrock and well water can vary greatly from one property to another. Individual well testing is the only way to know if a well is contaminated.

“Over time, drinking water that contains uranium can increase a person’s estimated lifetime risk of cancer, ” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. “However, uranium is not likely to cause cancer since it is mildly radioactive and has not been found to cause cancer in either humans or animals, even at very high doses over long periods of time.”

About 300 wells have been tested. The town offered complimentary and voluntary testing of properties within a quarter mile radius of the contaminated well. Properties include homes along Chestnut Hill Road, Sunset Drive, Chestnut Hill Terrace, Olde Wood Road, Evergreen Lane and Wood Pond Road.

Officials are also reviewing if extending public water service in new areas would influence development proposals. Current development regulations differ in areas with town water and well water. Planning staff is reviewing any potential issues. Johnson said officials are also looking at neighboring towns.

“We want to see who else is dealing with this issue and how,” he said.

Councilwoman Mary LaChace said the town is being proactive.

“One of the main things the town provides is health and safety for the residents,” she said.

Peter Marteka can be reached at pmarteka@courant.com.