Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Neb. town has too much radium in water system
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Associated Press - January 20, 2010 9:25 AM ET
DENTON, Neb. (AP) - Officials in the southeastern Nebraska town of Denton have hired an engineering firm to determine what should be done about the high level of radium in the town's water.
The move comes in anticipation of an order from the state Department of Health and Human Services to remedy the problem.
Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive element found in low levels in most drinking water sources. Radium at high levels may cause cancer.
Samples taken last year from the town's newest well showed a radium level 50 percent higher than the federal health standard.
The town's options seems to be limited to building a water treatment plant or drilling a new well - both costly options.
Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, http://www.journalstar.com
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