Uranium not just in Madison schools

Madison (WTNH) - High levels of uranium have been found in the drinking water at two Madison schools and now some are finding out that this is not the first time that water has tested high for uranium in town.

For the last two years the Rubel's have been only using the tap water for washing dishes. They use jugs of spring water for drinking. All because high levels of uranium were found in the wells of their Madison condo complex.

"We have grandchildren and I wouldn't think of giving them the water," said Judith Rubel.

The Rubel's and others living at Legend Hill get a quarterly report about the bad water levels from their association.
Searching for a solution they went to a town wide meeting last night.

Authorities called the meeting after it was discovered high levels of uranium turned up in the water at two nearby schools. But the startling revelation - the town's health director John Bowers knew about the condo's water issue for two years and never reported it to anyone else.

"Did you tell the first selectman about the tests," questioned one parent.
"No," Bowers responded.

At the meeting Bowers said state regulations didn't require it.

EPA and state standards for uranium in water are 30-micro-grams per liter. The condo's wells are consistently at 66.
The two schools turned up at 110.

News Channel 8 went to town hall today to ask the health director to explain why he never went the extra mile to tell anyone else in authority or why he didn't test the school water sooner. We were told he was in a meeting.

The Rubels say accountability is very important - but a permanent fix to what could be a widespread problem should come first.

"It's a larger problem for the town. It's not just our problem anymore," said Judith said.