Nearly a month after Irene flooded Vermont, results of household well tests are beginning to come in to the state laboratory. And in some cases, water has been contaminated.
The Times Argus reports that in hard-hit Pittsfield a number of wells have been compromised by pollutants washed in by the storm’s floodwaters.
In at least one case, test results came back positive for coliform, requiring the owner to disinfect the well.
More than 2,800 test kits were distributed by Vermont’s Department of Health during the last few weeks.
And in cases where water was contaminated, residents are boiling their water or using bottled water.