Politics & Government

Public Hearing Wednesday on Water Testing Ordinance

Brookfield Health Department is proposing an ordinance requiring private wells be tested for uranium and arsenic.

The town of Brookfield and the Brookfield Health Department are holding a public hearing Wednesday night on a proposed ordinance that would require homeowners to test their private wells for uranium and arsenic.

As the ordinance reads, tests will be required for new wells or before the property is transferred to a new owner.
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The pubic hearing starts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Town Hall room 135. Download a copy of the proposed ordinance above.
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Public water systems are tested at least once a year (more often for food serving establishments), however private wells are only tested for bacteria, such as E. coli.

“This has been a long time coming in Brookfield, even before I arrived on the scene,” Brookfield Director of Health Dr. Raymond Sullivan said. “Water in Brookfield is rich in naturally-occurring uranium,” however figuring out where can be difficult.

Public water systems have been installed in town to address known problem areas, such as Silvermine Road and Greenridge but there are “scattered areas outside of the expected areas with high levels,” Sullivan said.
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Get a free well test as part of a joint town and state study.
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Well testing by a professional company runs about $50, according to Sullivan.

“It’s a small price to pay when transferring a 3-4-$500,000 home,” he said. “If I’m buying a home in Brookfield, I should have a right to know if there’s uranium or arsenic in the water.”

“It appears that the underlying bedrock in Connecticut, and Brookfield in particular, may have a higher than average potential for containing naturally occurring uranium and other associated radioactive elements,” the ordinance reads, citing tests of public water systems and private wells in the recent past.

“It just happens to be the geology and makeup of the area,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan noted that the ordinance only requires that wells be tested and does not force the homeowner to take any action.


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